Name
George Gray - (10135)
1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
19/04/1915
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
10135
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 31 and 33.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin (*1), Not on the Datchworth memorials
Pre War
Son of Fanny Buckingham, of 18, Bunyan Rd., Hitchin, Herts. According to army records George was born in Datchworth in 1894 and he was the son of Fanny Buckingham living at Bunyan Rd Hitchin.
In 1891 Fanny Gray was recorded as a cook living at The White Lion Hotel in Stevenage with the Madgin family, who were probably running the hotel. In 1894 (or maybe 1892 - Freebmd) George was born and it seems that Fanny was probably a single mother.
In 1897 Fanny married James Arthur Buckingham and in 1901 she was 31 and living with her husband (32), in 64 Nightingale Road, Hitchin. James was working as a fellmongers carter. but George was not present. Fanny’s parents Daniel and Sarah Gray were found living in Datchworth in both 1901 and 1911 and again George was not found with them and has yet to be found in any census. It is possible that in 1911 he was already a serving soldier.
The Soldiers Died In The Great War (SDITGW) database records that he was born in Datchworth and was living in Hitchin when he enlisted in Bedford.
Wartime Service
George held the Regimental Number 10135 and served in the 1st Battalion. He was killed in action and must have been a regular soldier, confirmed by his arrival in France early on 16th August 1914.
At the time of his death he was an Acting Corporal. On that day violent attacks were in progress for occupation of Hill 60 which overlooked the Ypres Salient. The 1st Battalion of the Bedfords were in support trenches, the East Surreys having taken over the front line that day.
He has no known grave, but is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing at Ypres in Belgium.
Additional Information
After his death £14 0s 10d pay owing was authorised to go to his mother, Fanny, on 19 February 1916. Later, a war gratuity of £6 was authorised to be paid to her/him on 23 July 1919.
After his death he was recorded as the son of Fanny Buckingham, of 18 Bunyan Rd., Hitchin, Herts.
*1 this a recent memorial in the form of a book listing all known names (at the time). It is possible that his mother may have moved to Hitchin after George’s death and it may be that he has no direct connection to Hitchin.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, June Colegrove, Adrian Pitts, Pat Bird, Jonty Wild
