IN MEMORy by Pierre Vandervelden
The visit of Commonwealth graves in Communals Cemeteries & Churchyards in Belgium & France
FESTUBERT Communal Cemetery (Pas de Calais France)
Pte Pierce Gray 25/05/1940 aged 22 He was the son of James and Mary Anne Gray, of Waterford, Ireland. Left, Percy's former wooden cross. for his nephew James Gray and family |
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The local newspaper at that time said: "... passing of yet another young son of Waterford, in the person of Percy Grey, Barrack Street who was killed in action whilst serving with the B.E.F. in France on May 25th last. To know Percy intimately was indeed a pleasure as he possessed all the traits of character that are characteristic of splendid modern manhood. He was a lively conversationalist and possessed of a genial disposition which endeared him to all his companions. The pleasure of Knowing him in the world outside the schoolroom was none the less enjoyable, and his tragic death "Somewhere in France" at the early age of 21 years, is deeply regreted." Another clipping said: "Young Waterfordman's death in action. The sad news reached Mr. and Mrs. James Grey, Barrack Street, Waterford, on Tuesday last that their second youngest son, Percy, had died in action in France. The deceased soldier who, prior to his joining the B.E.F. in November 1938, was for some time an employee of Messrs. Graves and Co., Waterford, was only 21 years of age, and belonged to the 2nd Dorsetshire Regiment. The news of his death on Saturday, May 25, was received by letter by his griefstricken parents from his regimental chaplain, Rev. Fr. Francis Brazier, C.SS.R., whose consolation to his parents was that their son not only died a hero's death but also that of a true and loyal catholic. Rev. Father Brazier, in his most consoling letter to the Grey family, refers to the late Percy Grey as "your most gallant son". The deceased is son of Mr. James Grey, who for many years was a member of the staff of the "Waterford Star" and Mrs. Grey, and was brother of James Grey (Junr.) Waterford; Rd. Grey, New York; Mrs C. Booth, London;Lily and Agnes Grey, do.; Mrs. F. O'Connor, Morrison's Ave., Waterford; Mrs. T. Walsh Ballytruckle, do.; Molly and Ita Grey, Waterford. We join with their legion of friends of this well-known Waterford family in tendering our sincere symphaty. ....R.I.P." Note that Gray's name was spelling Grey. |
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The Newspapers extracts and Percy visited by his nephew James Gray in 09/2017 |
6 casualties
ANDERSON ANDREW
United Kingdom Private Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 6th Bn. Age: 27 Date
of Death: 28/05/1940 Service No: 2981043 (1)
ASHURST JOSEPH
United Kingdom Drummer Lancashire Fusiliers 1/8th Bn. Age: 24 Date of Death:
25/05/1940 Service No: 3446112 (7)
GRAY PIERCE
United Kingdom Private Dorsetshire Regiment 2nd Bn. Age: 22 Date of Death: 25/05/1940
Service No: 5726297 (11)
HARE ALFRED JOHN
United Kingdom Private Dorsetshire Regiment 2nd Bn. Date of Death: 31/05/1940
Service No: 5727283 (12)
McLUSKIE JOHN
United Kingdom Private Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 6th Bn. Age: 26 Date
of Death: 28/05/1940 Service No: 2982553 (5)
POOK CHARLES ERNEST
United Kingdom Corporal Dorsetshire Regiment 2nd Bn. Age: 33 Date of Death:
26/05/1940 Service No: 5722469 (2)
IF You have a casualty picture, please send me a copy, I'll be glad to show it on this page.
IF You want a king size copy of this picture (300/900 ko - 2592/1944 pixels) please e-mail me.
Casualties informations come usualy from Commonwealth War Graves Commission, see links for more informations
Inmemories.com © Pierre Vandervelden - Belgium