Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.C. group of four awarded to Captain A. A. Gray, Royal Flying Corps, late 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, killed in a flying accident, 3 February 1917

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; 1914-15 Star (2 Lieut., Durh. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) good very fine (4) £1000-1200

M.C. London Gazette 3 June 1916.

Alexander Allen Gray was born on 28 September 1895, the son of Alexander Gray of 13 Randolph Gardens, Dover, and was educated at Dover College. He was commissioned a Temporary 2nd Lieutenant in the Durham Light Infantry on 22 September 1914. He served with the 15th Battalion D.L.I. in France/Flanders from 9 October 1915. on 21 October, when serving in the 50th (Northumbrian) Division near Armentieres, ‘2nd Lieut. A. A. Gray carried out a daring reconnaissance and returned with a valuable report (ref. The Durham Forces in the Field 1914-18, by Capt. Wilfred Miles). The war diary for 25 October also records that he was ‘complemented by the Divisional General for a daring reconnaissance’. Doubtless for this action he was awarded the Military Cross in the birthday honours of June 1916 (no citation). Attaining the rank of Temporary Captain in January 1916, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in January 1917. Serving as a Pilot with No. 42 Training Squadron, Captain Gray was killed in a flying accident in England on 3 February 1917. He was buried in Heston (St. Leonard) Churchyard, Middlesex. With copied research.