Name
Francis George Gray
10 Apr 1886
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
24/10/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
202644
Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
2nd/4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL
Panel 7.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Wheathampstead Village Memorial, Shiplake Memorial Cross, Shiplake, Oxon
Pre War
Francis was born in Oxford on 10 Apr 1886 (baptised as Francis Gordon on 11 Aug 1886) to William Henry Gray, a joiner, and Susan Sarah (nee Wyatt). On the 1891 Census the family consisting of father William (now a Foreman), mother Susan, Gertrude F, (born 1876), Lionel W (born 1880), Margaret G (born 1879), Harold J (born 1882), Francis and Bertram (born 1890) were living at 9 Walton crescent Oxford. On the 1901 Census Francis was still living with his parents at Walton Crescent with is brothers Lionel and Herbert. His father was now a builder and contractor.
Francis married Louise Emily Bryant in 1908 in Henley, Ox. There were to be 4 children: Winifred Louise (born 3 Mar 1911), Ivy Frances (born 5 Mar 1913), Olive Linda (born 29 Sep 1914 and Leslie Francis (born 4 Oct 1916). On the 1911 Census Francis (Frank) was living at Lashbrook Cottage, Shiplake, Henley with wife Louise and Daughter Winifred. No record was found of his birth in Wheathampstead.
Wartime Service
Francis enlisted as a Territorial Soldier as Private 6458 2/4 Battalion, Ox and Bucks Light Infantry. No Service Record could be found for France. He would become 202644 in the general renumbering in 1917 of Territorial Force soldiers.
As part of 61 (South Midland) Division, Francis went to France 24 May 1916 and was probably involved in action at Fromelles (1916), Langemark, (Passchendaele 1917), defence against the German Offensive in spring 1918 and the final advance in Artois. Francis was reported killed in action on 24 Oct 1918. His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial.
Additional Information
His name was added to the Wheathampstead village memorial in 2014. War Gratuity of £9 and arrears of £14 0s 9d was paid to his widow Louisa, there was also a pension of 33s 9d per week for herself and the four children.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
