Ray Cranch

When war was declared in 1940, Ray was an apprentice with Charles Day and sons in Khyber Pass in Auckland. Russell Gribbel (his friend) and Ray jumped on their bikes and cycled over to Pompalier Street to sign up for the territorials. Ray gave a false age as he was 16, whereas the age limit was 18. He was posted to the 1st field regiment in NZ atillery. The camp was at the Avondale racecourse. They then travelled to Rotorua where they had another camp in Arawa park at the racecourse, then they did a trek down to Waiouru. He attended Narrow Neck Infantry School for gas and weapons training - e.g. pistol and 303 Lee Enfield. A year later he was asked to be a Lance bombadier and go to the training camp in Rotorua. He finished with his apprenticeship (12 shillings a week) and went full time with the army ( 7 shillings a day). The Lance bombadier role meant he was second in command of a gun crew of six. He was the gunner that serviced the guns and shells.

Ray came back into the army just before Pearl Harbour in December 1941. He was in a camp at Ngaruawahia Hopu hopu and in the morning had to dig trenches in the gum trees in case they were attacked by the Japanese.The regiment went to the Bombay area in Auckland where they carried out exercises for another year. He was picked for OCTU (Officer Cadet Training Unit) and was promoted to a gun seargent whereby commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant.

A member of the Mount Albert Lions, Cranch represented Auckland.[2] He captained Auckland in 1950.[3]

Cranch was selected for New Zealand in 1951-52 but did not play in any test matches.[1]

Cranch was also captain of the award-winning Auckland Softball team, which won the Beatty Cup and the Coca-Cola trophy as the team retained the national championship at Te Kuiti in 1950. He was heavily involved with the Piha Surf Life Saving Club,[4] where he gained an Instructor's Certificate from the New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Association on the 15th of February 1964.

Cranch was later the manager of the Auckland side and in 1973 he was a selector.[3][5] He was secretary-manager for the Auckland Leagues Club for more than 20 years and later served as president.

Cranch is a life member of both the Auckland Rugby League and New Zealand Rugby League.[6][7] In the 2006 Queen's Birthday Honours, Cranch was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to sport, especially rugby league.[8]

In 2020 the 2nd tier New Zealand Rugby League Competition was name the Ray Cranch Cup.

Born in January 1923, Cranch is the oldest living former Kiwis player.[9]