SAMUEL JESSE GRAY
Born: 1895, Stoke, Ipswich.
Died: 2nd June 1917; age 22 & 5 months; Died of Wounds – gunshot wound to left thigh penetrating.
Residence: c/o Mr F. Eider, East Gresford, New South Wales, Australia.
Occupation: a Dairy Farmer.
Samuel was 18 years old on arrival in Australia.
Enlistment Details: Location: West Maitland; Date: 27th January 1916; Age: 21 & 1 month; Religion: CofE. next of Kin: mother – Mrs A. Gray, 717, Woodbridge Road, St. John’s, Ipswich. Signed up for duration of the war + 4 months. Height: 5ft 4 ins, fresh complexion, hazel eyes & fair hair.
Embarked – 2nd May 1916 – Sydney – HMAT ‘Hororata’ A20.
Disembarked – 23rd June 1916 – Plymouth – HMAT ‘Aragon.’
Service:
Marched out to school of Physical Training & Bayonet Fighting at Aldershot – 2nd October 1916.
In from school 27th October 1916.
Promoted Sergeant – 11th November 1916.
Proceeded overseas – France – 21st November 1916 from Southampton.
Wounded in action – in the field – 1st June 1917 – penetrating gun shot wound to the left thigh.
Transferred to No. 2 Australian Casualty Clearing Station – 1st June 1917 – died 2nd June 1917.
Offences:
1. When on active service conduct to the prejudice of Good Order & military Discipline. In that he In The Field on the 15th February 1917, wrote a letter in which he disclosed his position, and gave certain Military Information, prejudice of good order & military discipline.
2. In that he caused a letter to be posted in the French Civil Post, contrary to censorship regulations. Sentence to forfeit 60 days pay. Confirmed by G.O.C. 11th Infantry Brigade, 16th March 1917.
Time in confinement awaiting trail 5 days.
Sentence to forfeit 60 days pay.
Rank: Sergeant; Service Number: 1137
Regiment: Australian Imperial Force, Australian Infantry, 34th Battalion.
Formerly 6th Cyclist Battalion, Suffolk Regiment – served 304 days until left England for Australia.
Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.
Grave Reference:
I.N.3.
Steenwerck,
France.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Anna Maria Gray, of ‘Sunnyside’, Great Bealings, Suffolk.
CENSUS
1901 32, Great Whip Street, Ipswich.
Samuel was 6 years old and living with his widowd mother & siblings.
Anna Maria Gray (nee Read), 41, born Cratfield, Suffolk.
Frederick Augustus Gray, 15, a Printer’s Compositor, born Ipswch.
Evelyn Marion Gray, 12, born Ipswich.
Arthur Reginald Gray, 10, born Ipswich – died 1906, Ipswich.
Ernest Charles Gray, 8, born Ipswich.
1911 717, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich.
Samuel was 16 years old, a Smith’s Mate – Motor & Carriage Works. He was living with his mother & sister.
Anna Maria, 51, a General Shop Keeper – own account.
Constance Gray, 28, a Shop Assistant.
1 visitor.
Samuel’s father was George Gray, born 1856, Chelsea, London – died 1894, Ipswich. A Tailor.
Samuel was educated at the Ipswich Council School.
In November 1908, Samuel’s 22 year old brother Frederick Augustus Gray, rescued some school children in danager from flood water.
Evening Star – 10th January 1908 – A DESERVING CASE. An appeal is made on behalf of Frederick Gray, of 32, Great Whip Street, who is lying seriously ill, suffering from shock to the system, which was brought about in the following manor:- On November 29th an expectionally high tide flooded the meadows and gardens near Ranelagh Road Schools, and some children who were watching the water come through a hole in the wall, found themselves surrounded, and were in some danger. Frederick, who is blind of one eye, and gets his living by puching a greengrocer’s barrow, was near by at the time, and seeing their predicament, he at once waded through the water and rescued them. He had made several journeys, and was returning with the last little girl, when the force of the water knocked him down, and the shock was so severe, that although he was able to get home without assistance, he has not been able to do any work since.
His mother, with whom he resides, is a widow, and since November 29th no money has come into the house except what she has been able to earn by charring, as, unfortunately, her son suffers from an affiction which has prevented him from joining a club. The schoolmistress at Ranelagh Road was a witness of Frederick’s efforts, and herself helped to rescue some of the children.
Any help for this most deserving case will be thankfully received by A. Poniton, of 11, Salisbury Road, or W.E. Ellis, of the Booking Office, Railway Station.
By the 18th January 1908, the Evening Star reported that their appeal to help Frederick, of 32, Great Whip Street, had already resulted in the raising of £4.
IMMIGRATION
On the 10th March 1913, 18 year old, Samuel, a Labourer, arrived at the Port of Brisbane, Australia. He had travelled from the Port of London, 3rd Class on the S.S. ‘Themistocles’ of the Aberdeen Line.
Samuel is also remembered on the war memorial at St. John the Baptist Church, Ipswich
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