Sergeant Raymond D Lake

Raymond Denis Lake was the son of John and Olive Lake, of Godalming, Surrey.

He was a soldier in the regular army who had enlisted into The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) before the start of World War II.

Lake volunteered for special service and joined 11 SAS Battalion, which was later redesignated as 1st Parachute Battalion in 1941.

By the time 1st Para Bn was deployed for North Africa and Operation Torch in 1942, Lake was serving as the platoon sergeant for No 10 Platoon in 1st Para Bn's T Company.

After several months of hard fighting against German forces, 1st Para Bn relocated to Tamera Valley on 6 March 1943 and was ordered to send out a major fighting reconnaissance force to ascertain the strength and location of enemy forces in the area. The recce force included two platoons from T Company, a detachment from 1st Para Bn's mortar platoon, and  a section of Bren Gun Carriers from 2nd/5th Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment.

The recce force proceeded along the road to Sedjenane when it made contact with German troops and drove them out of an Arab village. Sgt Lake was killed when the recce force was subjected to heavy fire from machine guns, mortars and an anti-tank gun.

Sergeant Lake died on 6 March 1943, aged 20 years old, and is now buried at Tabarka Ras Rajel War Cemetery, Tunisia. 

Cemetery photograph courtesy of CWGC.