Frank Gray

Story:
Frank Gray was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 4th September 1895 and baptised at St. James' Church on 29th September 1895, the son of John Thomas Gray and Linda Louisa Gray (nee Jenkins).  The family lived at Brickhill, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury (now called Church Hill).   Frank enlisted in the Royal Navy on 4th September 1913 to serve for a period of 12 years (Service No. J17472).  He served on a number of ships but memorably on HMS Colussus at the Battle of Jutland.  The battleship was the only ship of the Dreadnought Class to be damaged in the battle but nevertheless managed to remain on station throughout.  Frank had by then become a leading seaman.   He married Fanny Orlinda Ellen Pike on 21st December 1918 in Shaftesbury and they went on to have two children.  Frank continued in the Navy until his first discharge on 18th May 1927.  He had been awarded the Victory and British War medals, the 1914/15 Star and the RN Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. Frank had immediately signed on  for a further period of service and went on into WW2 until his final discharge on pension on 22 Aug 1945.  At the time of the 1939 Register his wife had been living with her parents at 67 St, James, Shaftesbury, Dorset.  Frank's death was recorded at the Blaenau, Gwent, Wales, Registry in Apr 1975.  His brothers, Sidney Charles Gray and Harry Gray, both served in the Army but regrettably both lost their lives in the conflict.