David Marshall Ranford (Trevor Ranford, 2/72) from the family eulogy documents.
David Marshall Ranford was born in Aldgate, in the idyllic Adelaide Hills, SA, on 1 March 1950. Living in a rural setting his young years were built around strong family traditions and in those early years his leadership capabilities came to the fore. He lived by the Ranford family creed that was instilled into him and his brother and sister by their grandmother. It was three simple components:
• Remember you’re a Ranford
• Stand tall
• Always carry a clean handkerchief
David attended Aldgate and then Glen Osmond Primary Schools. During those teenager years he and the family, Dad, Mum, brother Trevor and sister Rosemary, were heavily involved with Mount Lofty Scouts and Guides. David reached the pinnacle within the scouting movement by being award his Queen Scout. He completed his secondary education at Blackwood High School in the leafy suburb of Blackwood in Adelaide’s south. In year 12 (1967) David was elected the male Head Prefect of the school and was presented with the Old Scholars’ Prizes for his role as the Head Prefect. After leaving high school he commenced an Architectural Degree at the University of Adelaide and worked during the holidays within the building industry.
Like many 20-year-olds at that time his birthday marble was called out, was conscripted and he commenced National Service at 2 RTB on 14 October 1970 with the military number 4722024. David was selected for Officer Training and commenced at OTU on 24 October 1970 with Class 4/70. In Junior Term, he was in Cpl Simpson’s 3 Section in Sgt McCallum’s 2 Pl, Bridges Company with Cadet Maher as his ‘Father’. In his Senior Term, David commenced as the Section Commander of 3 Section and had four ‘Sons’: Gavin Connell, John Forwood, Jim Kelaher and Ian Kuhl (who all graduated). Later David was promoted to Sergeant.
David graduated with his class on 21 April 1971, Graduation Number 1299, number 7 in his class. At his graduation he was presented with the Gordon Sharp Award for the most improved National Service Officer in Infantry Tactics. He was allocated to RAInf and posted to the Infantry Centre, Ingleburn for training on 22 April 1971. During his time there and using his building skills he was given the task of building the Training Centre swimming pool. David was one of the next Platoon Commanders to go to Vietnam before the Australian involvement concluded. He served Australia with pride and followed in the footsteps of many generations of Ranford’s from the days of World War 1 and Gallipoli.
David returned to South Australia and instead of returning to University to finish his Architectural Degree he moved into the building trade. He felt that the degree did not offer ‘hands on’ building knowledge and skills. In 1973 we became engaged Jillianne Wilson and they married on 1 March 1974. David chose his birth date so as never to forget his wedding anniversary.
From 1972 to 1976 David worked as a Construction Supervisor for Wender and Duraholt, Brain Grove constructions and PG constructions; these were all Adelaide building companies. Some of the projects he oversaw were a large number of homes built in Morphett Vale, and a large housing trust home project at West Lakes where he managed the construction of over 200 homes and units.
David received a Rotary Scholarship in 1976 to study project management in the UK and spent nine months at Newcastle Upon Tyne. On completing his course in England he and Jill travelled Europe for a few months in a station wagon and large tent and spent time in Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Germany and Belgium.
David, Jill and their two daughters Shaisee and Dana moved to live in Alice Springs after he accepted a position as second in charge at Universal Constructions. A year later David became the manager. David was asked to go to Yulara to oversee the building of several projects out there and lived there for about 2 years. David oversaw the campground and several accommodation complexes to completion. David found working in the territory very rewarding and he and the family loved the laid-back way of life and made lifelong friends. David was also a member of the Alice Springs Lions Club.
On returning to Adelaide after eight years in the Territory, David and Jill became partners in a retail hardware business called South Road Supplies at Morphett Vale for the next 10 years. In 1998 they began at Clark Rubber with first opening the Christies Beach store in 1998 and Clovelly Park to later become the Richmond store in 2004. The highlight during the 25 years in Clark Rubber was winning “State best practise” Franchise of the year award in 2008.
David and the family had a house on the Murray River, outside of Mannum, where they would as a family spend many long weekends with friends water skiing. Driving his beloved speed boat was one of his favourite activities.
During 2024 David and Jill sold the business and were starting to settle into ‘retirement’ but in January 2025 David was diagnosed with the cancer called KRAS G12V and within a very short period it ‘sucked the life out of him’. David passed away around lunchtime on 17 February 2025 being a fortnight off his 75 birthday and 51st wedding anniversary.
Many words have been used to describe David as a person including kind, loving, patient, inspiring, hardworking, supportive and protective (of his family) and most importantly a humble but inspirational leader.
NOTE: Trevor Ranford was also conscripted, selected for OTU and graduated as part of Class 2/72. The Ranford brothers – David and Trevor – were one of a handful of brothers who graduated from OTU.