Bertie William Gray

Story:
Bertie William Gray was born in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, on 17 Aug 1891 the son of John Gray, a Blacksmith, and Harriett Gray (nee Matthews).  He lived his early life in East Knoyle himself becoming a Blacksmith in due time.  His marriage to Ethel Mary Eccles was registered in Mere, Wiltshire, during 1915.  He enlisted on 7 Oct 1915 with the Royal Flying Corps (later becoming the Royal Air Force on 1 Apr 1918) as an Air Mechanic (Service No. 9480).   He served in France and Flanders from 23 Oct 1915 to 8 Feb 1919 achieving Class 1 status in rank.  He was discharged on 14 Mar 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.  The 1921 Census shows him living in Chapel Hill, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, working as a Blacksmith for a local coach builder. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 39 Delbush Avenue, Headington, Oxfordshire, still working as a Blacksmith as well as being a voluntary ARP Warden.  His death was recorded at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, Oxfordshire, on 20 Feb 1965.  His brothers, Archibald Ernest Frederick Gray and Reginald Sidney Gray, also served albeit Archibald was discharged soon after enlisting.