| Ray | M R E | | Major | He was born at Allahabad, India, 17 November 1867, son of Thomas Britt Ray, Assistant Commissioner of Inland Customs, North-West Provinces and Oudh, India, and Emily Julia Ray (nee Ashe). He was educated at St Michael's College, Bayswater, London, Bedford Grammar School, and Sandhurst; was gazetted to the 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment 29 August 1885. He transferred to the Indian Army in 1889, and served in the Burma Campaign of 1889, commanding the Mounted Infantry, 33rd Bengal Infantry, in the operations in Magwe, from July to September He received the Medal and clasp, and a letter of appreciation from Brigadier General W Penn Symons, dated 9 August 1889. In the Chin Lushai Expedition of 1891-92, under Major General Graham, he commanded the Zandwin Column of the 7th Bengal Infantry, operating in the Chin Bok country, South Chin Hills. He received the Medal and a Letter of Appreciation from Lord Roberts, Commander-in-Chief in India, dated 21 June 1892. He served in Hong Kong from 1892 to 1897, and was awarded the Macgregor Memorial Medal in 1902. In the China Campaign he served as Field Intelligence Officer (June and July 1900), and then as DAAG, Lines of Communication. In the actions near Tientsin, August 1900, he was DAAG to the International Expedition to Tulin, and Staff Officer to the GOC, International Force, and both to Brigadier General A R F Doward, CB DSO. In the Paoting Fu Expedition he was DAAG to Lieutenant General Sir Alfred Gaselee, KCB, and Special Service Officer under Major General O'Moore Creagh, VC. In 1901 he was DAAG, Lines of Communication, until August, and went as Special Service Officer to Shanghai until November (Medal with clasp; Despatches [London Gazette, 14 May 1901]; American Order of the Dragon, and a Letter from Major General A R Chaffee, American Army, dated 13 May 1901]. Returning to India, he was DAQMG, IBQMG's Department, May to July 1902; DAQMG for the 1 3rd Infantry Division, Delhi Maiio. uvres, and 2nd Infantry Division, Durbar Troops, during the winter of 1002-3; DAQMG in March 1903, and promoted Major 29 August 1903. He served as DAQMG on the Staff of Brigadier General J R L Macdonald, CB, RE, in the Tibet Expedition of 1908-4; was twice mentioned in Despatches (Gyantse, 11 July 1904: "Major Ray twice crossed the danger zone to bring information to the GOC of progress of attack, and helped to carry up gun-cotton", and London Gazette, 13 December 1904). For these services he was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 16 December 1904]: "MacCarthy Reagh Emmet Ray, Major, Indian Army. In recognition of services with the Tibet, Mission Escort". He was invested by the King at Buckingham Palace 10 February 1905. Major Ray also received the Medal with clasp. In May 1906, he was appointed Second-in-Command of the 1st Brahmans. He was invalided home from India in April 1906, and died at St Heliers, Jersey, 27 June 1906. Major Ray was a good shot with the rifle. He travelled widely in the Far East, through China, via Siam, and through Manchuria. He also visited Japan, North America, and parts of Europe. He was an excellent linguist, and speaking French fluently, was appointed one of the Interpreters for the British Army in the China Expedition for the Relief of the Legations. He was acquainted with Russian, and had qualified in Hindustani, Persian and Higher Pushtu. His mind was intellectual and refined, with a taste for both literature and art. Actuated by a high sense of duty, he served his country and generation faithfully, and gave them of his best. In memory of Major Ray, a MacCarthy Ray Memorial Prize was founded for the Military Class of the Bedford Grammar School.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Indian Army |
