In Mazargues War Cemetery, Marseilles, France, is the Commonwealth War Grave of Donkeyman William Gray, serving on S.S. Gibralter with the Mercantile Marine who died 14/09/1917.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:
Donkeyman William Gray of Felling, Gateshead, historically in County Durham was aboard the British cargo ship S.S. Gibraltar when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German U-Boat U-27, commanded by Kapitnleutnant Gerhard Schulz, 100 miles SE1/2S from Cape Creus, Spanish territory near the French border, on a voyage from Karachi to Marseille, France, September 12th 1917.
Donkeyman William Gray was initially saved and taken to the nearest port, Toulon, France, where there was a military hospital run by the Red Cross. He died two days later September 14th 1917 and was initially interred at Toulon West Cemetery, grave J. 33. It was not until July 20th 1956 that his body was exhumed along with a further 3 members of the Mercantile Marine, a Private Royal Army Service Corp, a Private Royal Irish Regiment, and a Private of the Cheshire Regiment, all of whom were brought into Mazargues War Cemetery, Marseille for reburial.
Donkeyman William Gray is at rest grave XI. B. 6
Records state that 4 individuals were lost from the S.S. Gibralter, September 12th 1917. Fireman Thomas Blackwood born at Hebburn age 42 who was the son of the late Matthew and Catherine Blackwood; husband of Eliza Blackwood (nee Millan), of Back Summeson Buildings, Low Walker on Tyne. Born at Hebburn. 2nd Engineer Alex David Smith 28 years of Arbroath, Scotland, who was the son of Jean Clark Smith (nee Davidson), of Lochshade Cottage, Viewfield Rd., Arbroath, Forfar, and the late Alexander Smith. Born at Arbroath. Fireman John Warren born at Newcastle upon Tyne aged 45, who was the son of Margaret and the late James Warren; husband of Elizabeth Ann Warren (nee Christie), of Back Sumerson Buildings, Low Walker on Tyne.. Born at Newcastle. Their sacrifice is recorded on Tower Hill Memorial, which stand on the south side of Trinity Square, London commemorating men and women of the Merchant Navy who died in both World Wars and who have no known grave or where no permanent memorial could be raised.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
William Gray is remembered in the Mercantile Marine Roll of Honour 1917 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.
