Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Samuel Gray, a coal miner, born 1862 in Coalville, Leicestershire, and his wife Elizabeth Gray (nee Palmer, married in the 2nd quarter of 1888 in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district), born 1866 in Snibston, Leicestershire. Walter was born in the 4th quarter of 1892 in Coalville, Leicestershire, he had one sibling, a sister Maggie, born 1895 in Coalville, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at Belvoir, Road, Coalville. In the 2nd quarter of 1898, Walter’s mother died aged 32. In April 1911 Walter was employed as an iron founder and was residing at 78, Belvoir Road, Coalville, Leicestershire this being the home of his widowed paternal grandfather, Frederick Gray, a coal miner, born 1839 in Ibstock, Leicestershire, also residing in the family home was Walter’s cousin, Charlotte Potter, a housekeeper, born 1882 in Hugglescote, Leicestershire. In the 4th quarter of 1901 Walter’s father married widow, Elizabeth Trueman, in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district, Elizabeth was born in 1868 in Brierley Hill, Staffordshire. Walter was educated at St. John the Baptist Church School in Hugglescote and the Wesleyan Belvoir Road School, and was a regular attendee at Ebenezer Baptist Bible Class. Upon leaving school he was employed as a driller at Stablefords Wagon Works. He met his death when a German mine was detonated under Trench 50, close to Hill 60 in the Ypres Salient. The commander of “B” Company, Captain J. G. Griffiths wrote the following letter:- “I have to write to tell you of the loss of your son, Private W. Gray on Friday last when the enemy exploded a mine immediately under our trench where your son was. Every search has been made for him, but unfortunately we have not been able to find him, nor will we. We shall erect a cross to his memory at the spot where the explosion occurred. Your son was much liked by his officers and comrades and he was always a good and cheerful worker and he will be much missed. Kindly accept our sympathy and also that of the whole company in your sad bereavement. Yours Sincerely J. G. Griffiths (Captain).”
Walter enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 17th September 1914 in Coalville, and was allotted the service number 2528. He gave his place of birth as Coalville and age as 21 years 325 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as driller. He gave his present address as 183, Belvoir Road, Coalville, Leicestershire.
His medical examination took place in Coalville on the 30th August 1914 and recorded his apparent age as 21 years 325 days, that he was 5 feet 6 inches in height, weighed 111 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 31½ and 33 inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was brown.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Samuel Gray, Margaret Street, Coalville, sister Maggie Gray, Cotton Road, Nuneaton, cousin’s Elsie Gray and Herbert Gray, Belvoir Road, Coalville.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 17/9/14.
Embarked. To join the British Expeditionary Force, France. 28/2/15.
Missing. After mine explosion. In the Field. 23/7/15.
Reported. Killed in action. In the Field. 23/7/15.
His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 2528 on the 17/9/14. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 28/2/15. Missing after mine explosion in the field on the 23/7/15. Reported killed in action on the 23/7/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 17/9/14 – 27/2/15, 164 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 28/2/15 – 23/7/15, 146 days. Total service 310 days. Walter was awarded to 1914-15 Star, British and Victory Medals.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 17/9/14 – 27/2/15. 164 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 28/2/15 – 23/7/15. 146 days.
Total Service. 310 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Walter’s surviving service record amounts to a total of thirteen pages, of which only six pages relate directly to his military service, and these are in very poor condition with much of the hand written information in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 23 Jul-15 - ZILLEBEKE. At 6.55pm small mine exploded under enemy’s gallery opposite A.1. At 7.00pm exploded large mine under enemy’s salient. At 7.01pm artillery opened fire on crater and enemy supports. The redoubt in salient completely destroyed. Enemy’s casualties estimated at 40. At 9.22pm enemy exploded large mine in front of trench 5.B. destroying portions of parapet and inflicting 40 casualties. Enemy trench mortared the crater, thus hindering work of rescue and of linking crater with line of defences. 2nd Lieutenant’s R. C. LAWTON, E. E. WYNNE and N. C. MARRIOTT having arrived from England have been taken on the strength of the Battalion Officers, N.C.O.’s and men of the 17th Division were attached to the Battalion for instruction during the last tour of duty. This remedied to some extent the wastage in the Battalion which at one time contained only 9 Company officers and 474 trench rifles.
On Friday August 6th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MORE STORIES BY EYE WITNESSES.” – GRAPHIC DETAILS. A Melton Mowbray Territorial belonging to No.5 Platoon, “B” Company, 5th Battalion Leicestershire Territorial’s, writes the following interesting letter:- “I hope by now you know that I am quite safe. It was awful, but you know we have to expect anything out here. Our Engineers had just blown up two mines, and we had seen sandbags, men, buckets, and other things go up in the air. We were saying we should have something to tell the people in Melton when we get home again when there was the biggest crash I have ever heard. I was the end man of our trench, and there were F. Linnett, P. Underwood, and Jerry Boulger with me. Before I had time to move, the dirt and other things were dropping on me. I thought it would never stop, but when it did I jumped up and got my rifle, and I was ready if anyone came. The other three ran up the trench to see what they could do. Well, I cannot describe to you what the trench looked like. If the mine had been about 6 yards further there would not have been many of the Melton men left. While some of our men were firing the others were digging the men out who were buried. Poor Arthur Rogers was the first man to be got out, but he was dead. Then others followed – Arch. Marston, Syd. Newton, J. Atter, H. Plowman, B. Newton - and I think they are getting on all right. (A subsequent letter from the same writer states that Plowman has since died in hospital). Some of the others got out themselves, and either started firing or digging. It was marvellous to see how the men behaved, and it has been noticed and appreciated by the General. We got other men out, poor fellows they were dead, Sgt. Bunn, from Uppingham, leaves six children, and poor Walter Simpson leaves a widow and one child, the others were Cpl. W. Ibbetson, and Ptes. Pennington Foister, Pick, Wilson and Rogers from Melton, and Ptes. Hall, Gray, Buswell, Andrews from Coalville and district. Of course there were others who had to go out of the trench suffering from shock. It was our Platoon who caught it, and out of about 40 who went to the trenches nine of us marched out again. Aaron Sharp and J. Ruddle got blown up in the air, and dropped in a trench at the back. Aaron says he thinks Jimmy Ruddle started first up in the air, but he doesn't know who dropped first. Jimmy Atter was buried for three hours, and when G. Boulger got him out he said: ‘Hello Jerry! I never remember being buried alive before.’ When they took him away he said: ‘I should think this means another bar on my medal.’ I think we had sixteen killed this time in, and I don’t know how many wounded. One thing we are still smiling, and looking forward to better times. I am enclosing a copy of a letter which we had sent to us by the Officer Commanding. I want you to keep smiling, and don't get downhearted, for, as you know, it might have been worse. You will hear all about it in the papers. What I am pleased about is that we never left the trench, and what Germans came soon went back who were not shot. Thanks so much for the box you sent. The contents were lovely and they were a treat. I divided them among the chaps who were left in our platoon. I know you will not mind, for you know how the chaps felt. I had a double box of Tangerine oranges, box of tomatoes, one of apples, and fifteen hundred Woodbines, and three pounds of Gold Flake tobacco. Walter came to our place, but I was in the trenches. I expect he will come again. Don't forget to tell everyone I know that I am still smiling. If anyone wants a bit of excitement tell them to join the army. I'm having the time of my life and it will take more than this to upset me.”
On Wednesday, September 29th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Private W. GRAY (2528), Leicestershire Regiment, 5th Battalion (T.F.), who was previously reported missing, and believed killed, is now reported killed.
On Friday October 1st 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – TERRITORIAL KILLED. Private W. Gray (2528), Leicestershire Regiment, 5th Battalion (T.F.), who was previously reported missing, and believed killed, is now reported killed.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday July 30th 1915

Another Coalville Territorial Killed

The friends of Pte. Walter Gray, a Coalville man in the 5th Leicestershire Territorial Regiment, have received news that he was killed in action at 9.15 last Friday night. Pte. Victor Woolley writes that Gray was blown up by a mine and at the time of writing his body had not been found.

Pte. Gray is a son of Mr Samuel Gray, of Margaret Street, Coalville, but before the war had been living for some time with his aunt, Mrs Gray, 183, Belvoir Road.

The death was officially confirmed in a letter received by Mrs Gray yesterday, dated July 27th, from Capt. J. G. Griffiths, who wrote: “It is with much regret that I have to write to tell you of the loss of your son, Pte. W. Gray, on Friday last, when the enemy exploded a mine under our trench immediately where your son was. Every search has been made for him, but, unfortunately, we have been unable to find him and I am afraid he will not be found. We shall erect a cross to his memory at the spot where the explosion occurred. Your son was much liked by his officers and comrades and he was always a good and cheerful worker and he will be much missed by his company. Kindly accept my sympathy and also that of my whole company in your sad bereavement.”

Coalville Times article - Friday September 24th, 1915

Coalville Soldier Killed - Official Confirmation

Official intimation has been received this week from the Lichfield Territorial Record Office, of the death of Pte. Walter Gray, No. 2528, of the 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, which occurred while he was in action on July 23rd. News had been received of the sad event from comrades of the deceased and was published a few weeks ago. Pte. Gray was a driller at Messrs. Stableford’s works. He was a son of Mr Samuel Gray, of Margaret Street, Coalville, who has received a letter from Lord Kitchener, expressing the sympathy of the King and Queen.

Coalville Times article - Friday July 21st, 1916

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of my dear nephew, Walter Gray, killed in action, July 23rd, 1915.

“He marched away so bravely,
His head so proudly held,
His footsteps never faltered,
There on the field of battle,
He calmly took his place,
He fought and died for Britain,
And the honour of his race.”

From Aunt Annie and Uncle Charlie

Coalville Times article – Friday April 2nd, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT HUGGLESCOTE CHURCH

UNVEILED BY COL. R. E. MARTIN

A tablet which has been placed in Hugglescote Parish Church, to the memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, was unveiled by Lt.-Colonel R. E. Martin, C.M.G., on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.

The tablet is of excellent design, in keeping with the handsome edifice, and is of a permanent character, the names of 101 men being inscribed on Swithland slate, set in a frame of Ketton stone, surmounted by a cross and crown encircled in a carved laurel wreath, with similar carvings on either side. The inscription runs as follows:

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

“To the Glory of God, and in imperishable memory of the men of the parish who fell in the great war, 1914 – 1918.”

The names of the men inscribed on the tablet are as follows:-

H. A. Attwood, C. T. Beadman, J. Brooks, W. Baker, J. E. Briggs, H. G. Blackham, J. T. Bishop, J. Barrs, G. Barrs, R. Beadman, E. Bonser, G. Beale, J. G. Bennett, E. S. Boot, W. Berrisford, F. J. Betteridge, F. P. Benistone, J. W. Cawley, F. Chamberlain, J. A. Crookes, R. A. Cross, L. Cross, J. Cox, P. Cliff, J. W. F. Collier, C. Drewett, H. B. Drewett, S. Dodds, A. Elkin, H. C. Elkin, J. Farn, H. Fletcher, H. Finch, L. Finch, G. Firban, G. Gadsby, A. Gamble, S. F. Gamble, W. Gray, W. O. Hoden, O. Hallam, B. Hatter, J. Haywood, W. Hill, F. Hill, J. E. Hibbert, G. Hart, G. H. Highfield, E. Harper, J. W. Harper, H. Hall, J. E. Holmes, J. Jones, W. Jones, F. J. Kirby, I. V. Kelham, H. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Massey, H. O. Moseley, T. Marriott, G. Martin, J. A. Moult, J. Maunders, J. Moon, I. Mycroft, W. Newbold, O. H. Pratt, J. A. Pegg, F. Pink, E. H. Palmer, W. Riley, A. T. Richardson, W. Rogers, C. Simmons, E. A. Stinchcombe, J. Summers, S. Summers, C. Shilton, G. Slatter, J. Smith, J. C. Shaw, S. Smith, G. Spencer, S. C. Smith, J. W. Setchell, W. Statham, A. G. Tovell, S. T. Timson, J. Tebbatt, F. Whitmore, E. Willett, B. Walker, H. Watson, C. H. Walker, J. Woods, T. Willett, A. Wright, A. Wood, J. Young and W. Young.

As the congregation passed into the church, members of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade, with the ex-Sergt.-Major W. Hill in charge, lined up on either side of the entrance and two of the Brigade with bowed heads and leaning on reversed rifles, stood by the memorial, covered with the Union Jack.

The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. Canon Broughton (vicar) and opened with the hymn, “Stand up for Jesus.” Then followed prayers and collects. Psalm 130, and a lesson read by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, after which the clergy and choir proceeded to the memorial, led by the churchwardens, Messrs. W. E. Canner and J. W. Fletcher.

In unveiling the tablet, Colonel Martin said “To the glory of God and in imperishable memory of the men of this parish who fell in the great war 1914 – 1918, I unveil this tablet, which has been erected by their fellow parishioners in grateful recognition of their self-sacrifice.”

The “Last Post” having been sounded by buglers of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the choir and clergy returned to their places and Colonel Martin gave an address from the chancel steps.

He spoke of the memorable days in August 1914, when the principles on which our national life is based were being assailed, and it was the part of every true man to stand in defence of them. They had tangible proof that the spirit which was then evoked in the nation was the same spirit as that shown by their forefathers who went out to fight country’s enemies. He would never forget the day about the end of August, 1914, when the North Midland Territorial Division, which had been mobilised about three weeks, was told to fill up its ranks for service abroad. It fell to him, among others, to come back into Leicestershire to try and explain to the people what they were up against, and he remembered what a splendid response they gave. In the North Midland Division, between 80 and 90 per cent of the men said they were prepared to go anywhere, though many of them were married men who had never experienced Army service before. Many things have happened since – much self-seeking, a desire to get rich quickly, many apparent inequalities of justice and self-sacrifice – but he was sure they could all take comfort from the fact that there was tangible proof given in those days that the nation was sound at heart and could be trusted to do the right thing when the crisis really arose. And what happened when the armies got overseas and began their real work? He ventured to say that no one had the privilege of serving in a better battalion. The men from that district – Coalville men they always called them – were a splendid lot of men filled with genuine enthusiasm for fitting themselves for the part which they had to play, and who on getting across the water, proved themselves as good as the best. He went on to speak of evidences of practical Christianity displayed by the men, and of deeds of heroism which came to his notice. One instance he recalled was when they were between Hill 60 and Ypres. When the Brigadier realised that he had in the ranks men accustomed to mining, he formed a number of Coalville men into a mining section, whose duty it was to construct projecting galleries in front of the trenches, to find out if the Germans were under-mining. One day a member of the party came across a German mine filled with German explosives in large quantities, and it would have been a very natural thing for him to want to get away from it as soon as possible, but instead of that, he crawled over the top and disconnected the mine and came back and reported it to his commanding officer. This man, whose name was Starbuck, had no thought for his own safety, but first took steps to safeguard his comrades.

Proceeding, Col. Martin said his services came to an end in October, 1915, but he had always felt ever since then that the war had been worth while, if for nothing else than for the fine spirit it brought out, and if the same spirit could be shown in regard to present day problems, it would go a long way towards reaching a solution. He was not one of those who said this country ought to have stood aside and have taken advantage of the trade while other countries were fighting. The people, who said that, he thought, were wrong. He thought that what the people of this country did when they found what they were up against should be an example and pattern to them now. If the war had done nothing else, with all the misery, self-sacrifice and sorrow, he believed they were worth while because they afforded the opportunity which was taken by so many of showing a truly Christian spirit. He believed that experience had not been lost, but would help them to get through present day difficulties with credit to themselves.

The closing hymn was 11, “For all the saints,” and a collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors. As the congregation were leaving the church, Mr F. Baxter (organist) played, “O, rest in the Lord.” Before and after the service, peals were rung with the bells half-muffled.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 5/9/2017