William Gray

Rank: 
Private
Regimental number: 
772549
Unit at enlistment: 
125th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
Yes
Wounded: 
Yes
Prisoner of war: 
Yes
Cemetery: 
Farringdon Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario
Commemorated at: 
Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Birth country: 
England
Birth county: 
Northumberland
Birth city: 
Newcastle-on-Tyne
Address at enlistment: 
34 Strathcona Avenue, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
34 Strathcona Avenue, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Grinder
Religious denominations: 
Church of England
Marital status: 
Married
Age at enlistment: 
24

Letters and documents

BX October 22, 1917

Mrs. T. Sleeth, 16 Strathcona Ave., has received word that her brother Pte. William Gray, is reported missing.  He left here with the 125th Battalion.

BX December 28, 1917

Is a Prisoner

Word has been received by Mrs. M.N. Laborde, superintendent of the Red Cross rooms, from Lady E. River-Guckley, saying that Pte. William Gray, 75th Canadians, was now a prisoner of war at Friedrichsfeld, Germany.  A post card has been received recently from him which is the first acknowledgment she has had of parcels sent him.  He is, however, receiving the best attention of the prisoners of war department of the Canadian Red Cross Society.  Lady River-Guckley is the head of this work in England.

BX December 28, 1918

Repatriated

Private William Gray, who enlisted with the 125th Battalion, and was captured the same day as Private W. Lockley, Sarnia, has just been repatriated.  Pte. Gray is well known in this city.  He was a former member of the Cockshutt Plow Company football team.  He served in France with the 75th Battalion.  So far as is known Pte. William Lockley has not yet been repatriated.

BX April 21, 1943

William Gray

The death of William Gray, 18 Edward Street, occurred at his home Wednesday morning.  Mr. Gray was fifty-two years of age.  He was born at Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gray. He came to Canada thirty-three years ago and with the exception of three years spent overseas, during the First Great War, has resided here ever since. He enlisted with the 75th Battalion, C.E.F. and saw much active service with that unit, being severely wounded and taken prisoner at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.  He was held prisoner by the Germans for a year and a half and never fully recovered from the effects of his wounds and imprisonment.  Mr. Gray was a granite cutter by trade, but of late was employed as an inspector in the Shell Department of the Cockshutt Plow Co., Ltd.  In religion he was an Anglican and attended Holy Trinity Anglican Church.  He was a member of Reba Lodge, A.F. and A.M. of the Ex-Service Men’s Association of the Cockshutt Plow Co., Ltd., of the 84th and 75th Battalion, C.E.F., Association and of Branch 90 of the Canadian Legion.  Mr. Gray was active in local military affairs generally.

Mr. Gray is survived by his widow, the former Miss Hannah Cullington; one daughter.  Miss Lillian Gray, Brantford; three sons, Norman, William and Richard Gray, all of Brantford; one brother, John Gray, Eaton Rapids, Michigan, and one sister, Mrs. William Sheldrick, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England.  He is resting at his home where the funeral service will be conducted Saturday afternoon.  Interment will be in Farringdon Burial Ground.

BX April 21, 1943

William Gray

The funeral of William Gray, 18 Edward Street, a veteran of the First Great War, was conducted from his home on Saturday afternoon.  A large attendance of friends and the profusion of floral tributes marked the high esteem in which he was held by former associates in military, fraternal and business circles.  Rev. T.D. Painting, Rector of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, officiated at the home and the committal rites at the graveside in Farringdon Burial Ground.  The flag-draped casket was borne to its last resting place by Messrs. W. Garthwaite, A. Hobbs, J. Robertson, W. Warner, J. Martins and T. Hallowell.