Author: Major General Brian Howard AO, MC (Ret’d)

Father Raymond Quirk or “Pata”, as he was widely known, was a member of the Catholic Franciscan Order of Monks (Order of Friars Minor). He was a long serving missionary at a mission station located close to a PIR Company outstation at Vanimo established on the north coast of Papua New Guinea in 1952. He and the other priests from the mission provided religious support to the Catholics of the PIR companies which, at that time, rotated every six months from Taurama Barracks. He quickly endeared himself to all he met and enjoyed working with the PIR.

In 1956, he was appointed as a CMF Chaplain and, until 1959, continued to support the PIR companies at Vanimo. In 1959 he was transferred to the Regular Army and posted to Port Moresby to become a full-time chaplain to the Murray Barracks Area and PIR. He took up residence at Taurama Barracks with the PIR and quickly established himself as an invaluable member of the Battalion. In addition to his religious duties, he became the main advisor to successive Commanding Officers on Papua New Guinean culture and customs and the instructor in Pidgin for new officers and NCOs. He was possessed of a wicked sense of humour and a love of poker and horse racing and was a favourite with officers, soldiers and families alike, regardless of their religion. He paid particular attention to the younger officers whom he always described as “dewy-eyed”.

In 1963 he was instrumental in the formation of a PIR Association for the officers and NCOs who had departed. He was the author of the excellent newsletters which kept those who had moved on to other postings advised of goings on within the PIR.

He remained in PIR until 1967 when he assumed duty as Chaplain to the newly formed Papua New Guinea Command. He moved to Murray Barracks and lived in a Papua New Guinean married quarter rather than the Officers’ Mess so that he could be closer to the families of the soldiers. One of his more unusual habits was to boil eggs in an electric jug. He couldn’t understand why his jugs kept failing until my wife gave him a small saucepan as he didn’t have one.

‘Pata’ Ray retired in 1976 and returned to Australia. He passed away on 14 February 1989. There is no doubt that he was a legend within the PIR and will always be remembered by those who served there.

Editorial Postscript:
On 17 February 1988, a Solemn Pontifical Concelebrated Mass was offered at St Francis of Assisi Church, Paddington NSW, for the soul of Father Ray Quirk. The Mass was said by Bishop Brian Barnes of Aitape (ex Chaplain RP&NGC) together with a number of other Bishops and many priests. The army was well represented, including some four Major-Generals. Also present were many of his friends. The Eulogy was delivered by Major-General Jim Norrie.