Richard Francis Gray
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Richard Francis was the son of William and Kate Gray (née Stubbs). His father William was born in Worksop in 1861 (bap. St Mary (Priory) May 1861), the son of Richard and Elizabeth Gray. His mother Kate Stubbs was born in Austry, Warwickshire, in about 1863. They were married at St Mary (Priory) on 25 December 1883 and had seven children of whom five survived infancy: Richard Francis b. 1891 (reg. 1892 J/F/M), Fred (Frederick) birth registered 1893 (J/F/M), Joseph b. 1895, George b. 1898 and Edward b. 1901. With the exception of Edward, the children were baptised at St Mary (Priory), Richard on 3 January 1892. In 1891, Kate was living at 28 Marecroft, Worksop, and described as head of household, while her husband William, a labourer, was recorded living with his brother John and his wife and family on Newgate Street, Worksop. However, when their son Richard was baptised in 1892 both William and Kate were named on the baptismal record, and living at 28 Marecroft. They were still at the same address when George was baptised in 1898. By 1901 William, a carter (timber merchant), and Kate were living at 4 Court, 66 Eastgate, Worksop with their four children, Richard, Frederick, Joseph and George. Edward was born later that year. The family had returned to live at 28 Marecroft by 1911: William, a farm labourer, Kate, Richard, Frederick and Joseph who were colliery labourers (below ground), George, a farm labourer and Edward. Joseph died in 1913 aged about 17 and his mother Kate died three years later in 1916. Richard was still living with parents at 28 Marecroft when he enlisted in September 1914. William completed a form for the army in May 1919 (signed with his mark) listing his son's surviving blood relatives who were all living in Worksop: William at 31 Clinton Street, Fred (26) and Edward (13) at 48 Marcroft and George (20) 25 Clinton Street. William probably died in 1925. At least one of Richard's brothers, either Frederick or George, also served in the war while the youngest, Edward, enlisted in the Royal Tank Corps (313853) on 3 July 1919 at the age of 18. He named his father of 30 Morecroft Street as his next of kin. Edward probably trnsferred to the Army Reserve in July 1931.
1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) Richard, aged 22, was one of the first to join the Colours in 1914, enlisting on a Territorial Force 4 year engagement (serving in the UK). He attested and was passed medically fit at Worksop on 7 September, and transferred to embodied service the same day when he was posted to the Sherwood Foresters. Richard served at home until 1 March 1915 then with the BEF France from 2 March 1915. He sprained an ankle in June but was fairly quickly discharged to duty on 18 June. However, on 25 September that year he suffered shrapnel wounds to the back and lungs. Richard was initially treated at 46 Division RS but was then transferred to the 10th Casualty Clearing Station where he died of his wounds two days later on 27 September. He was buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. I.C.19). He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. 10th Casualty Clearing Station: the CCS was mobilised at Aldershot and on 18 January 1915 embarked Southampton and landed at Le Havre the following day. It began a move from Ecole St Vincent to Remy Siding near Lijssenthoek on 15 June 1915 and remained there for nearly three years. (www.longlongtrail.com) CWGC - History of Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery (extract). The cemetery is 12km from Ieper (Ypres). 'During the First World War, the village of Lijssenthoek was situated on the main communication line between the Allied military bases in the rear and the Ypres battlefields. Close to the Front, but out of the extreme range of most German field artillery, it became a natural place to establish casualty clearing stations. The cemetery was first used by the French 15th Hopital D'Evacuation and in June 1915, it began to be used by casualty clearing stations of the Commonwealth forces.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC additional information:- 'Son of William and Kate Gray, of 31, Clinton St., Worksop' Pte. R F Gray, Worksop Guardian 22 October 1915 'Still another hero has died for the Motherland, news having being received by Mrs Gray of 28 Marecroft, that her gallant son, Pte. R F Gray of the 1st 8th Notts and Derby Regt. has fallen in terrific fighting in Belgium. Aged 23, Gray was born in the house which his parents still reside and was educated at the Abbey School, and previous to enlisting, he was employed at Manton Colliery, where he was much thought of by his mates. Against his mother’s wish and saying he would rather volunteer than be fetched, he enlisted on 7th September 1914. After receiving his training he left with his regiment for Belgium on February 26th, a brother going with him. Being wounded and recovering, Dick, after eight months of warfare, was badly injured by shrapnel and was admitted to the 10th Casualty Clearing Station, as the following letter to his mother shows:- “10th Casualty Clearing Station, BEF, Sept 26th 1915, Dear Madam, your son was admitted to this hospital today suffering from shrapnel wounds. He is fairly comfortable and is anxious that you do not worry about him. He will be moved today to a Stationary Hospital at the Base, from which you will hear from him, Faithfully yours, D Tait Patterson, Chaplain On the 7th October, Mrs Gray received the sad tidings of her son’s death. The letter which was dated Sept. 28th, read as follows:- “ Madam, it is my painful duty to inform you that a report this day has been received, from the War Office, notifying the death of your son, which occurred on a place not known on the 28th (sic) September, and I am to express to you the sympathy and regret of the Army Council at your loss.” 'A wooden cross marks the place where he was laid to rest and his brother, writing to the mother, tells her, should he live until he has ‘finished his bit’, he will take his parent to the spot where Dick is buried. Pte Gray was a brother-in-law to Pte Broome who has also been killed and took part in the battle of Hill 60, was at La Bassee and Hooge. His death is much felt by his parents and the sympathy by all is extended to them in their severe trial.' NOTE: 21887 Private John Parker Broome 2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters, KIA 7 October 1915 and buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, grave ref. I.B.3. His sister Lily Broome married Frederick Gray in 1913. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Richard's personal effects comprising a prayer book, broken mirror, wallet, ribbon, badge, 3 buttons and a bundle of correspondence were returned to his parents in January 1916 (receipt signed by his mother). His father later received his medals. Research by Colin Dannatt
