TRIBUTES have flooded in following the death of a former Wokingham councillor, charity campaigner and war hero.
Raymond Eke, who represented first Emmbrook South and then North wards, passed away at a nursing home in London on March 30, a few months off his 101st birthday.
Sir John Redwood, MP for Wokingham, described Mr Eke as “a dedicated local Councillor, approachable and concerned about people”, while former Emmbrook North councillor, UllaKarin Clark, said he was “an unselfish, modest man and as a local politician, cared deeply about his constituents”.
Mr Eke was born in Norwich in 1922. In 1943, he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery. He piloted Austin Mark V aircraft in the Air Observation Post squadron. This meant regularly flying very low over enemy territory guiding British troops, including at the Normandy landings.
Mr.Eke’s niece, Dr Margaret Sheridan, explained how on one occasion, he observed two British units approaching from different directions and fearing they would mistake each other for enemy troops, he flew at just 50ft to warn them.
“There was a real danger of friendly fire with devastating consequences, but Uncle Ray alerted the British soldiers saving numerous lives that day,” she explained.
“That act of bravery led to him being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was a humble man and brushed off his bravery saying he was only doing his job.”
Mr Eke, who was affectionately known as Ray, retired from the AOP with the rank of Major. He later served at various locations in the Far East where he met his wife, Ruby. The couple were married for 63 years and had a son, Denham.
Dr Sheridan said she had very happy memories of her uncle visiting when she was growing up: “One time, my dad was trying to unblock a well when Uncle Ray visited. He immediately rolled up his sleeves and jumped into the well, helping dad clear it.
“He was the sort of person who was always helping people. He had a keen sense of duty and was always looking out for people.”
After the war, Ray was sent to the former Arborfield Garrison where, as an engineer, he helped build and improve the accommodation as well as designing a clock in the grounds. He and Ruby, a nurse, decided to stay in Wokingham where he stood as a Conservative candidate in the 1983 election winning Embrook South which he retained four years later. He lost the seat in 1991 but in 1999, was elected councillor for Emmbrook North and won again in 2003.
In 1986, Mr Eke was elected vice-chairman of the Amenities Committee and, in 1989, served as elected chairman of the Planning Committee.
Ray and Ruby were presented with a Civic Award for their tireless work with the Green Vale Stroke Club which Ray founded. When he was 90, a party was organised to celebrate his long association with the Club, and a newspaper photographer arrived but Ray was nowhere to be found.
UllaKarin Clark, said: “As it turned out, a 91-year-old lady who Ray looks after had a fall and was released from hospital the day before the party.
“Ray being Ray, and always putting other people first, felt that he could not ask anyone else to look after her. Unfortunately, therefore, he could not attend his own party.”
Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, current leader of Wokingham Conservatives and a Hillside councillor, recalled another occasion when Mr Eke made the news: “His medals were stolen and ended up at a London auction house. Thankfully they were discovered and reunited with their rightful owner.”
After Ruby died, Mr Eke remained in Wokingham and was a very popular and well-known figure around the area, still looking for ways to help other people.
At the news of his death, tributes poured in from numerous people who knew Ray.
Sir John Redwood MP said: “I used to visit Ray in his Emmbrook home and go out on doorsteps with him to meet local voters. I supported him as he secured election in 1997, 1999 and 2002 to Wokingham Council. He was a dedicated local councillor, approachable and concerned about people and his local area.
“He and his wife Ruby were also leading lights of the Stroke charity, offering help to those who had suffered from that cruel medical condition. He liked to see problems for himself, talk them through with people and try and resolve them at the Council. I send my condolences to his family.
“His was a life well lived, with a proud record of public service.”
Arborfield councillor Gary Cowan said: “I remember Ray with the greatest of fondness. He was the Borough Councillor for Emmbrook for many years and I remember him as a really nice gentleman who never said a bad word about anyone in the Council Chamber ever. He was so popular that when he eventually decided to stand down residents pleaded with him to stay on.
“He was very interested in antiques as a hobby and was a regular at the monthly Martin and Pole auction rooms. A wonderful gentleman.”
UllaKarin Clark said: “I was a Councillor on Wokingham Town Council from 2002 until 2018, representing Emmbrook North Ward. Ray Eke was already a councillor when I was first elected. He had been elected the first time in 1983.
“I also served as a Councillor on Wokingham Borough Council from 2003 until 2021. (It was a District Council when I was first elected). Ray was already a District Councillor but I do not know when he was first elected. It may have been in 1999.
“Ray was a fighter pilot and served in Malaya during the war. He was awarded the DFC (Distinguised Flying Cross). He was also the recipient of an MBE.
“Ray and his wife Ruby, who was a nurse, together with two other people, set up and ran Greenvale Stroke Club for which they received Civic awards in 1999, from Wokingham Town Council.
“Soon after taking up my duties as deputy Wokingham Borough Mayor in 2012, a member of Greevale Stroke Club contacted me and asked if I would be interested in taking on the Chairmanship of the Club because Ray felt he was getting too old to continue. I was extremely busy at this time but I did not want thr Club to have to close, so I agreed to the request. I continued as Chairman until 2018 when, due to a dwindling membership, we decided to close it.
“Ray was an unselfish, modest man and as a local politician, cared deeply about his constituents, helping and supporting whenever he could. I remember that he would regularly take elderly constituents who were living alone, shopping. He often “popped in” to visit people just to say hello and ensure all was well.
“Ray Eke was sorely missed by Greenvale Stroke Club members and his constituents when he finally retired.”
Former councillor Angus Ross said: “I knew Ray as a Wokingham District Councillor. He was a Wokingham Town person and I mostly met him when on the Development Control Committee now the Planning Committee.
“He was a very involved and committed councillor. A lovely and popular man to his ward residents and all at the council. One story I recall was he apologised for a Planning Committee as he had fallen off a ladder helping an ‘old lady’ who had roof problems – he was in his 80’s then.
“He was totally unapologetic.”
Ray’s funeral will be held on Monday, April 24, at All Saints Church, Lovelace Road, Dulwich, London. The service begins at 11.15am.
