Ralph Chelmsford DAVIS

DAVIS, RALPH CHELMSFORD (b. Woolloomooloo, NSW, 6 April 1912; d. Kew, Vic,30 June 1991). Businessman.

Ralph Davis was the son of (Claude Norman) Charles Davis and of Mabel Florence Davis. He had a very warm personality and endeared himself to many. His education was principally at Hampton High School and Wesley College, Melbourne. He went from school into G Marquand & Son, chartered accountants.

Ralph Davis made a mark in business. His father bought 2930 of 3000 of the ordinary shares in the transport business known as Mayne Nickless Pty Ltd in 1924. Two years later it became a public company. It suffered in the depression and was reconstructed in 1935. Ralph joined his father's company in 1936 as a truck driver, married in 1938, managed the armoured car service from 1938, became Assistant General Manager in 1947, and a director in 1952. He had twice volunteered for war service but was directed to remain in his home occupation. Ralph Davis rose to be on his father's death its Managing Director from 1954 to 1972 and its Chairman of Directors from 1972 to 1981. William Kirkhope was chairman of Directors from 1956 to 1972, and he and Davis led a period of considerable expansion. Davis was a key figure in the transport industry and was made an OBE for his services to it. His company grew from a staff of 150 when he joined to 43 000 in 17 countries at his death. Much of the growth came not because Mayne Nickless went out to take over others but because others approached it: they could have confidence in the men with whom they dealt.

Ralph Davis married Dulcie Elizabeth Draper and had four children: Gerald Charles Davis, Elizabeth Grace Conway, Priscilla Joan Lucas and Robert Ralph Davis. His father's conversion to Christianity at the age of 60 was no doubt in part the result of Ralph's influence. When he was the recipient of an inheritance or a golden handshake much of what he received was spread among his many Christian interests. His generosity was large but not conspicuous. His children supported him in his good deeds. His own estate at death was modest.

Ralph was a devout Christian. Brian Caroll in Hurry Back: An illustrated Centenary History of Mayne Nickless says: 'It was well known throughout the firm ... that Ralph Davis was a religious man. It was just as widely believed that he practised but did not preach'. He served on the Councils of many Christian organisations of definite evangelical foundation. His chief loves were Scripture Union (into which he came from Inter-School Christian Fellowship), OMF (because it had absorbed BEM) and BCV. The two latter organisations were the principal beneficiaries of his bounty on death, and with Scripture Union benefited under a family Trust of which Dulra Pty Ltd was trustee. It was during his chairmanship of the Council of BCV that the College moved from Armadale to Lilydale. He was treasurer of the first Billy Graham crusade in Melbourne in 1959. He was involved with Central Japan Pioneer Mission and Methodist Overseas Missions. He was active in the Evangelical Alliance of Victoria and later in Australian Evangelical Alliance. He had a particular interest in Tear Fund, later Tear Australia, an activity of the Alliances, and was its treasurer from 1975 to 1980: his public image gave it a good start. His denominational affiliation was at Were Street Methodist Church Brighton for many years but when he moved to Kew he was associated with St Hilary's Anglican Church, while making it clear that he remained a Methodist at heart.

Davis was a man of prayer: in his retirement he would spend hours at a time in prayer. He met with kindred spirits to pray together: in one such group were John Harold McCracken, James Eric Clarke, Keith Frederick Walker, Henry Leopold Speagle, David Leigh Scott, and Kenneth Sutherland Budge. He had the strengths of the Methodist tradition: personal piety, social concern, and evangelistic zeal. To these gifts of grace were added gifts of nature: a love of people, generosity and humour which was rarely absent.

BRIAN BAYSTON