Person

Nothing is known of the family of Edward Gray who was born on 6 April 1879. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the South Shields (3rd Durham) Garrison Artillery and four years later joined the 7th Hussars. In 1900 he was drafted to the 20th Hussars in India. At the end of 1901 he then went to South Africa with the regiment and took part in ‘Kitchener’s Drives’ in the Orange River Colony and Transvaal, when he was made a lance-corporal. In 1903 the regiment was sent to Egypt before returning to England in 1904, where Edward was stationed at Preston Barracks, Brighton and promoted to sergeant. From then until he left the army in 1907 he was the best shot in the regiment and one of the 60 best shots in the Army at Bisley.

At the outbreak of the First World War Edward re-joined his old regiment, landing in France on 16 August 1914 and took part in the Battle of Mons and the retreat from Marne. After further battles, he was drafted to the Belgian coast and took part in the fighting around Ypres. In 1915 he was slightly wounded but remained in the front line and was awarded the Russian Cross of the Order of St George. On 27 August 1916 he was commissioned in the field as a 2nd lieutenant and joined the 13th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. In October, during the Battle of the Somme, he took charge of the battalion when the commanding officer was disabled and was subsequently recommended for the Military Medal (as a sergeant in the 20th Hussars) and appointed temporary captain. In June 1917 he was in command of the front line of the 13th Battalion when the Messines Ridge was blown up and and he was awarded the Military Cross. Three months later, in September near Ypres, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and in October he was appointed acting major. Later in the year he went to Italy with the battalion and was mentioned in despatches, returning to France on 2 September 1918, having been promoted to lieutenant in February.

At the end of the war Edward served in the British Army of Occupation in Cologne and Upper Silesia. He left the Army on 12 August 1922 with a gratuity and the rank of major, and retired to Ringmer in Sussex. He died at Brighton in 1940.

The award of the Military Cross was gazetted on 25 June 1917 and the citation reads:

“For conspicuous bravery and attention to duty in commanding the front line for six days, during which his energy, example and absolute disregard of danger enabled the consolidation to be successfully achieved. His useful reconnaissance and initiative in sending out of patrols and strong points very largely strengthened our line of defence.”

The award of the DSO was gazetted on 19 November 1917 and the citation reads:

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an attack he led his men with great initiative and determination on several enemy strong points, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy and killing ten himself. During the consolidation of the captured position and subsequent enemy counter-attacks, he walked up and down his line under fire with absolute disregard of danger and kept his commanding officer in touch with the situation. On another occasion he personally led an attack against an enemy strong point, capturing one machine gun and ten prisoners. Throughout the operations he set a magnificent example of courage and devotion to duty.”

Birth date: 6-Apr-1879

Death date: 1940

Armed force/civilian: Army

Military service:

20th Hussars
Regimental number: 4528
Sergeant
1st & 13th Battalions Durham Light Infantry
Major

Medal(s): Distinguished Service Order
Military Cross
Military Medal
Mentioned in Despatches (3)
Queen’s South Africa Medal & 4 Clasps
1914 Star with Clasp & Roses
Italian War Medal
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Cross of the Order of St George of Russia

Gender: Male

Contributed by John Edwards