Rattray was born in Gatehouse of Fleet, Scotland, the fourth of five children born to Arthur Rattray, a retired Indian Civil Servant and judge, and his wife Mary Louise Wakely. His parents had returned from Bengal, where their first three children were born, in around 1889. Rattray was sent to, a training ship based at Liverpool, in January 1906, remaining there until December 1907. He then trained at HMS Ganges, near Ipswich, before serving in the Merchant Service, working for the Aberdeen-based shipping company of George Milne & Co., until joining the Royal Indian Marine in 1912. Rattray continued to serve in the RIM after the outbreak of World War I, but on 15 February 1917 he was appointed a temporary lieutenant on the General List ROYAL NAVAL AIR SERVICE att. ROYAL FLYING CORPS / rfc] as a flying officer, with seniority from 7 November 1916, but without prior pay or allowances. Transfer to RFC from RNAS 6th November 1916 becoming a member of the RNAS attached to RFC 30 Squadron No. 30 - BE2c. Mesopotamia / reconnaissance. Gained a mention in despatches from the Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant-General Sir Stanley Maude, on 15 August 1917. Mesopotamia / reconnaissance. Piloted by Lt Page in BE 2c serial 4582 low level bombing attack, shot up by ground fire. Rattray wounded in the leg. 3 weeks in hospital.. Service records stating his transfer back to the Royal Navy, in January 1918. Transferred back to Royal Indian Marine : 17/11/20 after sixteen months Leave. Rattray rejoined the Royal Indian Marine, which became the Royal Indian Navy in 1934. On 26 December 1934 he was promoted from lieutenant commander to commander, and to captain on 5 April 1940. By the time he was made a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire on 1 January 1943, he was serving as a commodore, and by 14 June 1945, when he was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath, had been promoted to rear-admiral. By the time he was made a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire on 1 January 1943, he was serving as a commodore, and by 14 June 1945, when he was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath, had been promoted to rear-admiral. He was serving as Flag Officer, Bombay, during the 1946 mutiny. Rattray was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1948, two weeks before his retirement on 13 January. Rattray was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1948, two weeks before his retirement on 13 January. Rattray died at his home in Camberley, Surrey, on 10 August 1966.
