Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: 2nd Lieutenant J. J. E. Gray, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, late K.R.R.C., killed in a flying accident in March 1917
1914-15 Star (R/7878 Pte., K.R.Rif.C.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut.) together with a British South Africa Company Rifle Competition silver medal (British South Africa Police Rifle Club, won by Corpl. J. J. E. Gray, 28.3.04) extremely fine (4) £80-100

John James Elmslie Gray attested for the Matabeleland Mounted Police in June 1903, and transferred to the B.S.A. Police two years later. He took his discharge, by purchase, in August 1907, and continued to live in Rhodesia. He volunteered again in 1914, and after a spell in the ranks of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, he was granted a commission in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. He was killed in a flying accident on the Isle of Wight on 17 March 1917, and is buried in Freshwater (All Saints) Churchyard, Isle of Wight.

The following details are taken from one of the many copy news cuttings that accompany the group: ‘He was a Rhodesian, and fought through the South African War [this does not appear to be true]. Re-enlisting after the outbreak of present hostilities, he was granted a commission and had sustained three wounds on active service in France. He was on a course of Musketry, when he accepted the invitation of an officer friend in the R.F.C. to go for a flight, which ended so disastrously, the machine turning turtle and coming down. Lieut. Gray fell out and fractured his spine, while Lieut. Morrison fell with the machine and fractured his skull.’ Both officers died from their injuries.