Ray Kelly grew up in Wagga Wagga, NSW, before moving to Melbourne in 1941 to work in the Aircraft Production Commission's factory at Fisherman's bend. He enlisted in the RAAF in 1943 and was sent to Canada to train as a Wireless Operator Air Gunner (WOAG). This lead him to serve in 463 Squadron, Bomber Command as a rear gunner from late 1944 until the squadron disbanded after the end of the war. (Source Australian War Memorial website)
