Private Charles Morris Gray #3132235, 3rd Battalion

Photo by Bob Richardson 2011

Born April 24, 1888 in Barrie, Simcoe County, Ontario to Thomas and Margaret Gray, of 331 Buller Street, St. Thomas, Ontario. Noted at time of being drafted in 1918: working as a merchant, single, member of the 22 Regiment Oxford Rifles militia, religion Presbyterian, 5" 8" tall, fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, hearing and eyes normal.

Drafted March 4, 1918 under the Military Service Act, 1917 in London, Ontario. Class AII. Embarked for England April 16, 1918 on the S.S. Scotian arriving England April 28. On arrival taken on service 4th Reserve Battalion, Witley. Transferred to 18th Battalion, Etaples France September 4, 1918. Arrived Canadian Reinforcement Camp September 8. Transferred to 3rd Battalion in the field Sept 12.

Killed in action September 27, 1918. His Circumstances of Death form states "Killed In Action, while taking part with his battalion in military operations in the neighborhood of Ecoust, St. Quentin, he was instantly killed by enemy shell fire". Unlike the previous post on 3rd original Thomas Fitzgerald, Charles Gray was only with the 3rd Battalion 15 days before being killed. He was buried in pretty Quarry Cemetery (Marquion) grave E.4.

His attestation paper and service record can be found HERE
His page on the Veteran Affairs Canada Virtual Canadian War Memorial can be found HERE