Gateshead Roll of Honour Volume 1 A to M

Map North of Fricourt where the 15th DLI were

Medal Index Card

Henry Gray was born on the 10th April 1890, at 23 Frederick Street, Gateshead, the eldest son of Henry, with his wife Margaret. This was the 'Victoria Hotel' where Henry's [father] was employed as a barman.

Henry the son, was educated at the Bill Quay School.

Henry's father had six children but two had died. By 1901 the family had moved to 10 Albert Place, and the father had changed jobs to a miner.

1911 the family were residing at 3 Over the Burn, Low Fell, Gateshead. Henry the son, was an apprentice blacksmith, at this time, residing with his siblings William Turnbull, born 1894, Mary Adelaide, born 1899 and Elizabeth born 1905 at the same address.

Henry enlisted into the 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry on the 22nd July 1915. The address he stated on his service forms was by this time 22 Earls Drive, Low Fell, Gateshead. His occupation had returned to barman. His family had moved again.

He was described as 5 feet 10 and a half inches tall and weighed 154 lbs. He also had false teeth.

Henry gave another address for his father of 7 Florence Avenue, Low Fell. Gateshead on enlistment.

Henry embarked with the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry on the 23rd December 1915.

15th (Service) Battalion was formed at Newcastle in September 1914 as part of K3 and came under orders of 64th Brigade in 21st Division. Moved to Halton Park, going on to billets in Maidenhead in December 1914 and then back to Halton Park in April 1915. Finally moved to Witley in July. On the 11th September 1915, they landed at Boulogne

His papers show that an order from the Durham Magistrates dated 16th December 1914, had resulted in stoppages of pay for the support of his illegitimate child. This was to be paid to Miss Mary Ann Thoburn of 7 Chowdene Cottages, Low Fell, for the child, called Astley born on the 28th October 1914 until the age of 14 years, at the rate of 3s a week, having 4d taken off his daily pay. Total costs allowed by the magistrates was Twenty Seven shillings and sixpence.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle Dated 1916 Gray – Killed in action, July 1st, 1916, aged 26 years, Private Henry Gray, the dearly beloved son of Henry and Margaret Gray, 7, Florence Avenue, Low Fell. He died as he lived. A soldier brave and true. Deeply mourned by his father, mother, brother and sisters, and all who knew him.

Gray – Killed in action, July 1st, 1916, Pte. Henry Gray, D.L.I. A faithful servant, true and kind, his equal will be hard to find. Ever remembered by Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Nevens, and little Astley, late of Boundary Inn, East Cramlington.

Mr Richard Potts Nevens was the manager of the Boundry Inn at East Cramlington.

64th Brigade: The attack was led by 9th and 10th KOYLI in the last five minutes of the bombardment. They crawled into no-mans land where they were met with heavy machine-gun fire from Fricourt and were enfiladed by fire from south of La Boisselle, but pushed on with the attack. The 15th Durham LI and 1st East Yokshires' supporting battalions following close behind, joined the KOYLI and all four battalions pressed on together to the support trench. At 8am, the sunken road was reached and some parties got as far as Crucifix Trench. Lewis-gun detachments moved to hold Lozenge Wood to the south. Round Wood was occupied at 9.45 am. by a company of 1st East Yorks. A counter attack was forced back. The 10th Green Howards and 1st Lincolns (62nd Brigade) were sent to reinforce. At 2.30 pm 10th KOYLI and 15th DLI tried to take Shelter Wood from Crucifix Trench but failed. At 4.35 pm the order to consolidate was given."

"Somme Day by Day Diary" by Chris McCarthy, 1998, Brockhampton Press, ISBN 1860198732.

Research: Jean Atkinson/James Pasby

Acknowledgement: Keith Nevens

Henry Gray is remembered in Bill Quay on B119.02 and at Gateshead in G39.004 page 72, G39.064, Low Fell on L61.05 and at Durham in D47.013b page 168.

First day of the Somme Fricourt
The CWGC entry for Private Gray