Name
Albert Gray
1873
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/12/1918
45
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
T/406687
Royal Army Service Corps
Motor Transport depot
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HITCHIN CEMETERY
North east 623
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Gone but not forgotten
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Albert was born in 1873 in Hitchin and baptised 27 May 1874. His parents were George and Maria Gray.
In 1881 the family were living at Seymours Alley, Back St, Hitchin. Present were both parents: George (34) and Maria (36), with George working as a bricklayers labourer and his wife a straw plaiter. Their children were: George (9), Albert (8), Edward (6). Harriet (5), Harry (3) and James (1).
By 1891 the family had moved to 18 St Andrew’s Place, Hitchin. Present were both parents, with George now working as a railway labourer. Of the above children George, Harriet and James were not listed. Albert, now 18, was working as a general labourer. New siblings were Nellie (9), Rose (7) and Robert (5).
In 1901 the family address had not changed. Present were both parents and George was recorded working as a plate layer’s labourer, as with Albert. The other children present were
Edward. Rose and Robert.
They had not moved and in 1911 the family still were living at 18 St Andrew’s Place, Hitchin. George Gray was now 63 and a widower, so Albert’s mother had died, but George was still working now as a railway labourer and Albert, now 38, was a general labourer. Nellie was the only other child present.
Albert enlisted on 26 October 1915 as 21774 when he was 42 years old, 5’ 3” and living at 6 St Andrew’s Place, Hitchin, aged 42 and had been working as a labourer. His attestation papers reveal that he had served in the Bedfordshire Militia and was discharged in 1898.
Wartime Service
Albert’s service all appears to relate to labouring in one form or another. Working out dates is complicated because he seems to have had three service numbers, and two slightly different service records (with enough details to ensure it is the same man), but more so because some of his service records, particularly dates, are difficult to read. This means that some of the following may be out of order, however we have done our best to combine the records and place the following information correctly.
As an overview his service history appears to be:
- SS/21774, Rank: Private, Corps: Army Service Corps with his home address 2 Gray’s Yard, St Andrew’s Place, Hitchin
- 349398, Rank: Private, Corps: Labour Corps
- T/406687, Rank: Private, Corps: Motor Transport, Army Service Corps
The above includes ‘Home’ service from 26 October 1915 to 14 November 1915, when he embarked on the H. T. Olympic from Liverpool. He transferred to the S.S. Abbassieh at Mudros on 27 November 1915 and then disembarked in Salonica on the 28th. There he was then placed in No. 29 Labour Company, A.S.C. part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.
He was attached to the Supply Depot at Stavros (Greece) on 7 March 1916 and then transferred to 28 Labour Company on 14 March 1916. On 1 August 1917 he was transferred again - it seems still in the Labour Corps), but with the new service number 349398.
Still in Stavros, on 4 October 1917 he was recorded as 44 and with Arterio-Selerosis & Debility.
In November 1917 his character was assessed as sober, reliable and intelligent, but also showing no particular aptitude for any particular employment in civilian life.
He was recorded as with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force from the 15th until the 14 January 1918, and the next day was back in the UK. The reason for his return is not clear. It may have related to the illness, diagnosed on the 7 October 1917, however there is another note on his record, possibly written, around 9 August 1918 saying, “Malaria Case – Not to be sent to any theatre of war where Malaria is prevalent”. Malaria was a major problem in Salonica (Macedonia), so he may have become ill and weakened by this.
We know that he was back in the UK from 15 January 1918, he was posted as a labourer on 16 January 1918, compulsorily transferred to the A.S.C. at Grove Park, Hitchin on 9 February 1918, as a learner driver. This appears to include a date of 31 January 1918 – perhaps the 9th was just when it was recorded. There was a M.T. (Motor Transport) Depot in Hitchin. While at Grove Park he appears to have passed a test in labouring duties - however, this is very difficult to read.
On 22 February 1918 he was noted as “not employed at trade awaiting posting”. He was then transferred to packers and loaders A.S.C. at Isleworth, on 9 April 1918. This was another compulsorily transfer and an associated note reads, inefficient for M.T. (driving?) duties.
He may have served in the 728th Motor Transport Company which had an unusual role for the A.S.C. as part of the 37th Local Auxiliary Company (Signal Service Training Centre). This unit was formed on the 28th June 1916 and disbanded on the 31st March 1919. The A.S.C. became ‘Royal’ on the 27th November 1918.
He was admitted to Hounslow Military Hospital on 25 November 1918 after 5 days of illness and then a sudden collapse. He died of Influenza and Broncho Pneumonia on 4 December 1918 at 5am. A note records that at this time he was with the Driving School at Hounslow.
His father wrote asking for Albert’s personal kit and belongings on 11 February 1919. Related notes record Albert’s father as aged and infirm and living at 17 St Andrew’s Place, Hitchin. The effects were received on 15 May 1919.
He was buried in Hitchin Cemetery in Grave N.E. 623. His Commonwealth War Graves Commission stone has the additional inscription "Gone but not forgotten", this was ordered by his sister Emma Taylor, while she was living at 2 Gray’s Yard, St Andrew’s Street, Hitchin.
Additional Information
After his death £1 11s 2d was authorised to go to his father on 18 June 1919.
His pension cards record Emma Taylor as his sister and dependants, living at 2 Gray’s Yard, St Andrew’s Street, Hitchin. She was awarded a gratuity of £45 10s 0d on 12 July 1919.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
