Name
William Gray
1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/04/1915
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
6698
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN
A. 8. 11.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Essendon War Memorial, Roll of Honour, St Mary's Church, Essendon Not on the Tewin memorials.
Pre War
William Gray was born in 1896 at Queen Hoo Hall Farm, Tewin, Herts, the son of Arthur Gray and his second wife Emily Gray and he was baptised there on 25 March 1896.
The 1901 census shows William aged 5 years living with his parents, 4 brothers and 2 sisters at Queens Hoo Hall Farm, Tewin, Herts where his father was the Farmer. By 1911 William aged 16 years was a visitor staying at Parkers Green, Ardeley, Herts. He and his brother Jack were both living there and working as Farm Labourers. His mother later lived at Howe Green,, Nr Essendon, and 4 Hanbury Cottages, Essendon, Nr Hatfield, Herts.
Wartime Service
William enlisted in Hertford and served with the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment in France from 8 November 1914. In April 1915 the 1st Battalion took part in the Battle of Hill 60.
He died in the 3rd Stationary Hospital, Rouen on 26 April 1915, aged 19. The Register of Soldier's Effects states he died of pneumonia. The Dependant's Pension record states that he died from concussion of the spine which may have been sustained in the battle.
Additional Information
His mother received a war gratuity of £3.00 and pay owing of £4 15s 1d. She also received a pension of 8s 6d a week for life.
His half-brother Daniel Charles Gray was killed in action five days earlier on the 21 April. Another half-brother Arthur died in 1917.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Sue and Colin Rees, Stuart Osborne,
