Matthew Gray
Medal Card
Northumberland Fusiliers Badge
Derek Johnstone has provided the following:
Mathew Henry Smith Gray was born at Heaton, Northumberland, in 1887. His mother, Sarah Ann Gray (nee Raine), was from Osmotherly, Yorkshire and his father, Mathew Henry Gray, was born in Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Sarah Ann Gray died in 1900.
In 1901 the Gray family was living at 44, Mitford Street, Elswick in the house of Margaret Smith, a widow age 60. Mathew’s father was shown to be a son-in-law and a widower aged 39. His occupation was that of a general labourer. Mathew was 13 years old at this time.
The 1911 Census records Mathew, who was now married to Mary Jane (nee Cave) living in one room at 41, Hedley Place, Newcastle-on-Tyne, belonging to a Mr Dawson. Mathew was now 24 years old and working in a depot. They had two daughters, Mary Lizzy, 3, and Georgina, aged 2.
Military records show that Mathew enlisted at Newcastle-on-Tyne. His Pension Index Card shows Margaret Jane Gray as his widow and children Mary Elizabeth, George, and Mathew Henry Gray (born 31 July 1913).
On death, his effects went to his widow Margaret who was still a widow in 16/9/1919 when she received her second payment.
The name of Mathew Henry Smith Gray is not recorded on a local memorial.
