Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Medic’ for Egypt 26.10.1914.
Roll Rank Sapper.
Roll Unit 3rd Field Coy Engineers
Gray disembarked at Suez 2.11.1914. He joined the MEF in Alexandria and embarked for the Dardanelles. He landed at Gallipoli 25.4.1915 and was wounded in action at Anzac Cove –Gallipoli. He received a wound to his right arm and was transferred by HS ‘Southland‘ to hospital in Alexandria 5.6.1915. He rejoined his unit 27.7.1915. Gray was hospitalized in Cairo with tonsillitis 13.6.1915. On discharge, he embarked per ‘Kingstonian’ for duty in Gallipoli 21.7.1915. He rejoined unit in the field 27.7.1915. and was promoted to T/Cpl. 30.9.1915. Gray was promoted to A/Sgt. 14.12.1915. He was evacuated from Gallipoli per the ‘Caledonia’ and disembarked at Alexandria 27.12.1915. Gray was promoted to 2nd Cpl. 21.1.1916 in Tel-el-Kebir and then to Cpl. 9.2.1916 at Serapeum. He was promoted to T/ Sgt. 9.2.1916 then Sgt. 1.3.1916. Gray transferred to 5th Division. 13th Field Company Engineers (FCE). Gray embarked per SS ‘Briton’ with the BEF at Alexandria 28.5.1916. He disembarked at Havre and embarked for training at Esher School of Instruction in England 5.7.1916. After a period of training he proceeded overseas to France 7.10.1916 and was taken on Strength with 13th Field Company Engineers, to reinforce the 5th Division 8.10.1916. The 4th Division moved into the Somme in November 1916 near Pozieres.  Gray was wounded in the field (2nd time) with a SW to his left hand in December 1916. He was transferred to England as an invalid per HS ‘Formosa’ 10.12.1916. Gray was admitted to the 2nd Birmingham War Hospital 14.12.1916. After a period of leave he marched in to Perham Downs 28.3.1917. Gray was transferred to Parkhouse for drafting duties and then to the 16th Field Coy Engineers 2.4.1917. He proceeded overseas to France 16.11.1917 and was transferred as W.O. to 1st Army Troop Australian Engineers Coy. Gray was promoted to CSM 11.4.1918 in France. He returned to Australia on special leave 8.10.1918.
Embarked from Taranto, Italy for Australia per ’Port Darwin’ 18.10.1918.
Disembarked Fremantle per ‘Port Darwin’ 3.12.1918.
Discharged 2.3.1919.
Final Rank Sapper, CSM 1st Army Troop Australian Engineers.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Gray farmed at ‘Allandale’ in Walliston after WW1.
His brother Leslie James Gray (SN 1611) also served in WW1 and returned invalided.
Photos HMAT 'Medic' 1914. Photographer Hood, Samuel J. Photograph source AWM H19319
              Landing at Gallipoli on the morning of 25.4.1915. Photographer A. Joyner, photograph source AWM P00035.001
              13th Field Coy. Engineers constructing dugouts near Zonnebeke 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01242
               SS 'Port Darwin'. Photographer unknown, photograph source SLV picture number bs004061

Information Source
AWM H19319. HMAT 'Medic' 1914. Photographer Hood, Samuel J. Photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P00035.001. Landing at Gallipoli on the morning of 25.4.1915. Photographer A. Joyner, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E01242. 13th Field Coy. Engineers constructing dugouts near Zonnebeke 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Rolls- Edwin Allen Gray
Guildford Volunteer Fire Brigade Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Gray E A
SLV image no. bs004061. SS 'Port Darwin'. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the State Library of Victoria

The Broadway, West Guildford. WA.

Associated Images