Robert Edward Gray

Robert Edward Gray

Ancestry.com
Personal Information
Date of Birth	25 Aug 1903
Place of Birth	New Machar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Death	30 Jun 1986, aged 82
Place of Death	Forrestfield, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	38 years, 7 months
Description	5'8"(1.75m) tall ; 138lbs 62.596 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair ; scar on right elbow
Occupation	Bus driver
Religion	Presbyterian
Address	John street, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs. Nancy Gray
Military Information
Reg Number	[recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=5890856 W67670] & 83817
Date of Enlistment	22 Mar 1942
Rank	Private & Leading Aircraftman
Unit/Formation	2nd (Fremantle) VDC Battalion & RAAF Base Darwin
Post War Details
Fate	Remained in Australia

Pre War

Robert emigrated to Australia in 1926. He arrived in Fremantle aboard the SS Berrima on 11 Feb 1926 from London. Others on the ship included a group of young boys part of the Child Emigration Society's program.

During 1929 Robert married Agnes (Nancy) Sharpe Sneddon (1903 - 1970) in Perth. Nancy died in Forrestfield on 4 Nov 1970 aged 67. They had two children, daugher Dorothy and a son.

Electoral Roll entries: 1931 - 1934 at 5 Seventh avenue, Bassendean, bus driver;

War Service

On 6 Jun 1940 Robert sought to enlist in the 2nd AIF. There is nothing on file to indicate what came of his application. At Armadale on 22 Mar 1942, Robert enlisted in the Volunteer Defence Corps and was allocated to 'D' Company of the 2nd (Fremantle) VDC Battalion. Promoted Sergeant (Mortars) on 1 Jul 1942, he reverted to Private at his own request on 28 Aug 1942, and on 1 Oct 1943 he was discharged at his own request to join the RAAF the following day.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at 44 Mercury street, Carlisle, bus driver; 1963 - 1980 at 19 Waterfall road, Wattle Grove, service attendant;