Albert Edward Gray
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Albert Edward was the sixth son and youngest child of George and Elizabeth Gray (née Croden). His father was born in Stanion, Northamptonshire, in about 1848, the son of George and Ann Gray, and was baptised in the parish church in April 1848. His mother Elizabeth was born in Ridlington in 1851, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Croden, and baptised in the parish church in April 1851. George and Elizabeth were married in 1873 (reg. Uppingham) and had nine children, two of whom died before 1911. All the children were born in Ridlington: George William b. 1873, Arthur Frederick b. 1874 d. 1896, Clara b. 1877 (reg. J/F/M), Charles Henry b. 1878, Elizabeth b. 1881, John b. 1883 d. 1884, Ethel Daisy b. 1885, John Christopher b. 1887 and Albert Edward b. 1889. George, an agricultural labourer, and Elizabeth were recorded in Ridlington on the 1881 Census and may have lived in the village for the whole of their married life. In 1901 they were living at Ridlington Lodge with four of their seven surviving children, Charles a farm labourer, Ethel, John a plough boy, and Albert. By 1911 George was employed as a garthman on a farm and only their son John, a farm horseman, and a granddaughter, Elsie Gray (4), were living with the couple. In 1911 Albert (21) was employed as a footman at Lea Hall, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, in the household of Phipps Foster and his wife, who employed eight indoor staff including Albert. Albert married Mabel Wilkinson (b. 1884) in July 1914 (reg. Southwell); an announcement of their marriage was placed in the Grantham Journal. The banns were also read at Carlton Colville parish church, Norfolk (Suffolk/Norfolk border), in which parish Albert was living, while Mabel lived in the parish of Southwell, Nottinghamshire. Their son George was born in Nottingham in June 1917. According to Albert's army service record, he was working as a gardener and caretaker in December 1915, address 'The Coppice', Nottingham, although he and Mabel had previously lived in the village of Morton Hall, nr. Swinderby, Lincolnshire. However, when his army record was updated when he was mobilised in January 1917 he gave his occupation as a 'male attendant (insane)'. It is possible that he was employed at Rampton Criminal Lunatic Hospital, Nottinghamshire, which opened in 1912. (Rampton Hospital is now one of three high security psychiatric hospitals in England & Wales). It is unlikely that he was employed at the Nottinghamshire County Lunatic Asylum, Saxondale, as he does not appear in its records of employees who enlisted or the casualties who were commemorated on its war memorial. Mabel completed a form for the army in May 1919 naming her husband's surviving relatives: Wife: Mabel Gray and son George, 31 Staples Street, Mapperley, Nottingham. Parents: George and Elizabeth, Ridlington Brothers: George William and Charles Henry both of Ridlington. Sisters: Clara (-), Uppingham; Elizabeth Young, Oundle Northants; Ethel Daisy Gray, Grantham. When the England & Wales Register was compiled in 1939 Mabel and her son, a solicitor's clerk, were living on Newark Road, Southwell, where she was housekeeper to Percy Bett, a farmer. Mabel probably did not remarry and died in 1958. Albert's brother, John Christopher, died on 13 November 1918, 15 days before Albert's death, and he was also buried in SS Mary Magdalene & Andrew churchyard. Their mother Elizabeth died in December 1925 and in 1939 her husband George was living in Ayston, Uppingham, with Hugh and Elsie Christian, who was probably his married granddaughter. George died in 1942.
20 Fire Command, Royal Garrison Artillery Albert Edward Gray attested on 11 December 1915 and was transferred to the Army Reserve. He was medically examined in Nottingham on 3 January 1917 (age 27 years 165 days) and was probably mobilised the following day, joining at Ripon. His service record indicated that he served in the UK throughout the war. It is likely that he was posted to the 20 & 21 Fire Command RGA, based in Scotland, on 2 July 1918 and appointed acting bombardier the same day. Albert died in the 2nd Scottish General Hospital, Craigleith, Edinburgh, from influenza and broncho-pneumonia at 6.50pm on 28 November 1918. He is buried in Ridlington (SS Mary Magdalene and Andrew) churchyard (west part), Rutland. Medical Case Sheet (typed report, signed MD Rankine MB DPH RMO) 2nd Scottish General Hospital. 'Disease (21) Influenza and broncho-pneumonia. Admitted on 25 November 1918 was very seriously ill, temperature was 104.6, pulse 104, reaps. 28. He complained chiefly of sore throat. On 26 November 1918 he had crepitations all over his chest, and he was cyanosed with a poor pulse. He wa also very restless. He had an injection of antistreptococcal serum. He rapidly became worse however and died on 28 November 1918 at 6.50 pm.' (Army Service Record) Note: CWGC gives date of death as 29 November 1918 but the medical documents in his service record all state 28 November 1918 as does the inscription on his gravestone and a notice of his death in a local paper.
CWGC: ' Son of George and Elizabeth Gray; husband of Mabel Gray. Born at Ridlington.' WMR 50907 Ridlington War Memorial, St Mary Magdalene and St Andrew, Main Street, Ridlington LE15 9AU. Dedication: ‘To the Glory of God and in grateful memory of the men from this parish who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1918 (names) Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.' Eight names: 'Bdr. Albert Edward Gray RGA died in hospital Nov. 28, 1918' Ridlington (SS Mary Magdelene and Andrew): 'Albert Gray lies buried in the churchyard in a prominent white marble grave. Just behind him, there is a family memorial to a former vicar of Ridlington which commemorates his son Thomas Hope Formby who died at the Battle of the Somme in 1916. Not far away on the right hand side is a Rudkin family memorial which also commemorates Charles Rudkin, a former bell-ringer and choir member who died while serving.' (www.rutlandremembers.org) Inscription headstone, Ridlington St Mary Magdalene & St Andrew: ‘ In loving memory of Bdr Albert Edward Gray who died November 28th 1918 aged 29 years. Peace perfect peace with loved ones far away in Jesus’ keeping we are safe and they.’ Grantham Journal, ‘Deaths’, 7 March 1896: ‘Gray. At Ridlington the 27th ult. Mr Arthur Frederick Gray, aged 21 years.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Grantham Journal, ‘Marriages’, 15 August 1914: ‘Gray-Wilkinson. At Southwell, Notts, on the 28th ult., (by the Rev. Canon Glaister), Albert Edward Gray, of Ridlington, to Mabel Wilkinson, of Southwell.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Grantham Journal, ‘Acknowledgements’, 7 December 1918: ‘Mr and Mrs George Gray and Family wish to thank all friends for the kindness and sympathy shown them in their double bereavement [John Christopher, 13 November 1918, Albert Edward, 28 November 1918]. Ridlington, Uppingham.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Grantham Journal, 19 December 1925: ‘Ridlington.Aged Inhabitant’s death. On Thursday week, the funeral took place in the Churchyard of Mrs Elizabeth Gray, wife of Mr George Gray. The Rev. W Ashburner, Rector, officiated. A native of the village, deceased was 74 years of age, and was universally respected. The venerable couple celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding in January, 1923, and were then the recipients of numerous congratulations. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved aged husband and grown-up family of two sons [George, Charles] and three daughters [Clara, Elizabeth, Ethel]. Some nice wreaths were placed on the grave.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his widow was his sole legatee. WW1 Pension Records index cards: Mabel's address was given as Southwell.
