Spencer Seaver

Prepared by the Witnesses of War team

Spencer Raynor Kingsland “Ray” Seaver was born on 26 September 1931 in Forbes, New South Wales, Australia. Working as a cadet electrical engineer, he answered a newspaper advertisement offering the opportunity to train as a pilot. He joined the Royal Australian Air Force in February 1951, earned his wings at Point Cook in July 1952, and completed fighter training at Williamtown.

After conversion training at Iwakuni, Japan, Seaver joined No. 77 (Fighter) Squadron RAAF at Kimpo, South Korea, in January 1953. Flying the twin-engine Gloster Meteor jet, he undertook ground-attack missions against roads, bridges, railways and supply convoys, helping disrupt the movement of Chinese and North Korean forces. These attacks frequently exposed him to anti-aircraft fire.

Seaver completed 101 combat operations during the war’s final months. One particularly memorable assignment involved repeated attacks on a large truck convoy near Wonsan. His service also brought personal losses: several fellow pilots were killed, while another was taken prisoner. He was later awarded the United States Air Medal for his operational service.

After returning to Australia, he participated in an Antarctic expedition, flying Auster aircraft on photographic and reconnaissance duties connected with the establishment of Mawson Station. He subsequently became a flying instructor before joining Qantas in 1956, eventually serving as a Boeing 747 training and check captain. He later worked as a civil aviation inspector. Seaver died on 8 April 2026, aged 94.