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 qualified for the Victory and British War Medals at the time of his discharge on 14 Mar 1919.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 39 Delbush Avenue, Headington, Oxfordshire, working as a Blacksmith as well as 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.