Frederick James Gray

Story:
Frederick James Gray was born in Semley, Wiltshire, on 19th July 1888 and baptised there on 16th September 188, the son of William and Jane Gray.  His early life is recorded in the Semley Workhouse until the 1911 Census when he is shown as working as a Gardener at Buscot House, Farringdon, Berkshire.  By 1913 he had moved to Salisbury, Wiltshire, and married Elizabeth Anne Haskett on 29th July 1913 at St. Osmond's Church, Salisbury.  They appear to have had only one child.   Frederick enlisted on 6th December 1915 but was not embodied until 29th May 1916 when he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 91304).  He served with various units in France including the 185th Siege Battery and ended his service at the Rhine Army Control Camp, Germany.  He was finally demobilized on 4th October 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals.  By the 1939 Register he was living at 26 Mitford Street, Salisbury, and described as a Restaurant Proprietor.  He died in Salisbury on 6 Oct 1944.

Frederick's brother Ernest William also served in the war and was sadly killed in 1917 while serving with the Dorsetshire Regiment in France.