George Gray was born in Sarnia, Ontario on November 30, 1888, the son of Donald Gray and Mary Gray, of Plympton township. George had two brothers and two sisters, who at the time of his death were: James (born 1876) of Camlachie; Daniel A., (born 1879) of Sarnia, a Grand Trunk engineer; and sisters Euphemia (born 1881) of Sarnia; and Jessie, of Milburn, Ontario. George resided in Sarnia until he finished his schooling, then moved to the Canadian Northwest. He enlisted on December 12, 1914 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Single at the time of his enlistment, he recorded his occupation as a farmer, and his next of kin was his brother, Daniel Gray of 327 Russell Street, Sarnia. George Gray became a member of the Army, Canadian Infantry, Eastern Ontario Regiment, 2nd Battalion, No. 12 Platoon, #3 Company, with the rank of Private. On May 30, 1915, he would lose his life while fighting in France. George Gray would later be officially listed as, Killed in action in the field, trenches in vicinity of Festubert.

In early June 1915, George’s brother Daniel in Sarnia would receive a letter informing him of the circumstances of his brother’s death. The following is that letter:

France, June 2nd, 1915  D.A. Gray, Esq, 327 Russell Street, Sarnia

Dear Sir,

I am sorry to have to advise you of the death of your brother George who was killed in action on Sunday night, the 30th of May. He, with a party of men from my platoon, was detailed to complete a communication trench from our own to that of our No. 4 company, which was 100 yards ahead of us.

 Suddenly, without warning a big German shell struck the side of the trench and exploded almost beside him. I was close by, and immediately had him lifted out of the trench. Pieces of the shell had struck him in the back and his death was painless and virtually instantaneous. We did what was possible before he passed away and I then took his papers, which I am sending through our orderly room, who will forward them through the regular channels.

 Four of his chums carried him back behind our lines and laid him decently in a grave which they had dug. I have marked this with a cross, giving his name and regiment number and stating that he was killed in action on the 30th of May, 1915. George was a very fine man and most popular with his companions. I have had a very high opinion of him since I took command of the platoon, and I feel his loss very keenly. There is little I can say to make the blow easier for you to bear, but a man can ask no finer end than death met in the service of his country and though the toll is heavy it must be paid to prevent German savagery overrunning the world. Please accept my sincere sympathy in your bereavement and believe me I share the sorrow with you.

Yours sincerely, T.C. Biggar

Lt. No. 12 Platoon, No.3 Co., 2nd Batt., C.E.F.

 Twenty-six year old George Gray has no known grave. He is memorialized on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. His name is also inscribed on the Camlachie Cenotaph.

SOURCES: C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G