Name
George Gray
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
19/04/1915
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
10135
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 31 and 33.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin, Not on the Datchworth memorials
Pre War
Son of Fanny Buckingham, of 18, Bunyan Rd., Hitchin, Herts. According to army records George was born in Datchworth in 1894 and he was the son of Fanny Buckingham living at Bunyan Rd Hitchin.
In 1891 Fanny Gray was recorded as a cook living in Stevenage with the Madgin family, who were probably running a hotel. In 1894 (or maybe 1892 - Freebmd). Fanny was probably a single mother.
In 1897 Fanny married James Buckingham and in 1901 she was living with her husband, in Walkern but George is not recorded, however her father was now living in Datchworth. In 1911 Fanny was still living in Walkern with her husband. Hitchin. Again, no sign of George.
Wartime Service
George held the Regimental Number 10135 and served in the 1st Battalion. He was killed in action and may have been a regular soldier. This seems to be confirmed by his arrival in France early on 16th August 1914.
At the time of his death, violent attacks were in progress for occupation of Hill 60 which overlooked the Ypres Salient. The 1st Battalion of the Bedfords were in support trenches, the East Surreys having taken over the front line that day.
He has no known grave, but is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing at Ypres in Belgium.
Additional Information
After his death he was recorded as the son of Fanny Buckingham, of 18 Bunyan Rd., Hitchin, Herts.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, June Colegrove, Adrian Pitts, Pat Bird, Jonty Wild
