Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Second World War Italy operations M.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant A. J. D. Gray, Royal Engineers, who gallantly cleared mines and booby traps under fire

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2193762 Sjt. A. J. D. Gray, R.E.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, together with a set of related miniature dress medals, good very fine and better (10) £800-900

M.M. London Gazette 19 April 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘Throughout the period 1 May to 31 August 1944, Sergeant Gray on many occasions displayed consistent coolness and gallantry. On 8 July he went forward to make a reconnaissance of a demolition near Gubbio, then held by the enemy. In spite of accurate mortar fire he completed his examination of the obstacle, uncovering and neutralising several Teller and S-mines. Later, when work was in progress, mortar fire caused the working party to take cover. Sergeant Gray refused to leave the site and continued work amid spasmodic mortar fire until the obstacle was passable.

Again, on 30 August, Sergeant Gray’s troop was working on the Borselli-Mentone road in bright moonlight. While clearing large booby-trapped trees, the party was shelled. Sergeant Gray ordered his sappers to take cover and continued to trace the trip wires and neutralise the charges on his own. He then sawed the branches away and by dawn had managed to cut a one-way track past the obstacle. His leadership on such occasions has repeatedly been a great inspiration to his troop.’

Arthur John Douglas Gray was a native of West Croydon; accompanying wartime newspaper cutting refers.