Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Ballarat & District in the Great War

LSgt John Andrew GRAY, MM, 7th Bn

In 1836, when Thomas Mitchell (the Surveyor-General from New South Wales) first sighted the place that would become known as Lexton he described it as a ‘valley of the finest description.’ Although it never attracted a large population, Lexton did become home to one of Victoria’s earliest pioneering families and it was there that a young Andy Gray spent his formative years.

David Gray arrived in Victoria on 9 August 1849. The young Scot was imbued with a fine work ethic, along with an adventurous spirit. When gold was discovered at Clunes in 1851, it was said that the first picks used had been made by Lexton’s blacksmith, David Gray.

The small rural township of Lexton lies 28-miles northeast of Ballarat. The lush valley with its creeks meandering through the foothills of the Pyrenees Ranges was not destined to be a gold-producing area. Although there were diggings around Lexton, little if any gold was mined there, and the township relied instead on the steady development of agricultural on the various pastoral runs, the chief crops being oats, wheat, hay, peas, beans and potatoes. There were also several large orchards, with apples doing particularly well. Although the town boasted a court house, three churches, and a State School (all built of brick and stone), an ANA hall, and Free Library, the population was always small. David Gray was responsible for the erection of a bridge across the Burnbank Creek (known as Gray’s Crossing), which for a lengthy period during the 1860’s was the only safe roadway for traffic to and from the Wimmera.

It was at Lexton that David Gray and his English wife, Adelaide Giddings, raised their thirteen children. His youngest son, Charles Robert Gray, who would continue the family blacksmithing business, was born there on 16 April 1867.

On 18 July 1894, in the Presbyterian Church at nearby Evansford, Charles Gray married Mary Jane Cunningham. Mary’s family was purely Scottish – her father came from Currie on the outskirts of Edinburgh, while her maternal grandparents came from Maybole and Paisley south of Glasgow.

Charles and Mary then made their home at Lexton where their first child, Andrew John, was born in 1896.
For Andy, it was a quiet, gentle upbringing. The arrival of a further six children meant a congenial, yet not overcrowded family situation, and their mother was a fine cook who was especially known for her prize-winning pound cakes. Andy’s sister, Myrtle, learned quickly from their mother producing her own jams and cakes.

There was also the comfort of an extended family. No doubt his grandfather, David Gray, regaled him with tales of growing up at Kinross on the banks of Loch Leven and of the castle where Mary, Queen of Scots had been imprisoned and forced to relinquish her throne. Although both his grandmothers had died before his birth, there were multiple aunts and uncles, and his grandfather’s brother, James Gray, who was quite a character and the life and soul of any Lexton musical gathering.

And because of the size of Lexton, it literally meant everyone knew everyone else. Time spent at the Lexton State School garnered both a good education and very close friendships. Andy became great mates with Fred Rasdell, with the pair going right through school together.

The Gray family, true to their Scots origins, worshipped at the local Presbyterian Church, St Andrew’s, on the Lexton-Talbot Road. This fostered further connections in the community, further friendships.

However, even in quiet backwaters, accidents happened. On 10 June 1898, while working with his father at the forge in their blacksmith’s shop, Charles Gray suffered a nasty injury. The pair were turning the heel of a horseshoe, working together in even synchronisation, beat-for-beat, when their hammers connected. A piece of steel hit Charles in the eye. The local doctor, Peter Cunningham, after assessing the damage, expressed ‘grave doubts’ as to saving the eye and Charles was immediately sent to Melbourne to be treated by renowned ophthalmologist, Mr James William Barrett, a specialist at the Eye and Ear Hospital. Complex surgery to remove the damaged eye was immediately performed.

Charles soon returned to work, gaining contracts from the local shire council.

Andy was still at school when his grandfather died on 19 August 1909. His death brought to a close the first chapter of Lexton as a township and David Gray was widely mourned.

Life continued on, however, and as Andy grew, he displayed a particularly likeable personality. He was generous and kind and was regarded as a ‘general favourite’ throughout the town.

After leaving school, Andy was offered a position as a hardware assistant at Hawkes Brothers’ Ironmongery in their Beaufort branch. The firm had been founded in Geelong in 1854 by Thomas and Frederick Hawkes. Tom Southam Hawkes had inherited the business after his father’s death in 1894. When he was killed during the Great Kanto Earthquake in Japan on 1 September 1923, his estate was valued at £240,000.

Although the business was primarily an ironmongery specialising in farm equipment, the store also traded in furniture, timber, hay and corn. They boasted ‘every Description of Goods tor Household, Mining, Pastoral, and Building Purposes. Furniture, Crockery, and Glassware specialities…’

Manager of the Beaufort store was Englishman, Harry John Bray Seager.

During his time at Beaufort, Andy became actively involved with the St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Livingstone Street, where he became a member of the teaching staff at the church’s Sunday school. He also continued his association with the Lexton branch of the Australian Natives’ Association, an organisation that his father supported at committee level.

When Andy was 16, the family suffered a terrible tragedy. His youngest brother, Charlie, who was a bright and intelligent six-year-old, contracted diphtheria. He was taken to the Amherst Hospital for treatment, but died on 4 December 1912 after just a few days’ illness. Charles and Mary Gray were naturally devastated.

The declaration of war in August 1914 saw an immediate inrush of first-rate volunteers, which allowed the authorities to be selective, setting very high standards. However, when Andy Gray presented himself at the recruitment depot in Beaufort on 30 December, local surgeon, Dr Allan Jackson, had no hesitation in passing him fit, despite his chest measurement being well under requirements. His height, at 5-feet 6-inches, was the minimum set by the military; he was also very slight, weighing just 116-pounds. At 30½-inches, Andy’s chest measurement was 3½-inches under the minimum, but this was not queried. In appearance, Andy was very fair indeed – his golden-blonde hair was described almost poetically as flaxen by Dr Jackson; he had light hazel eyes and fair skin.

One issue that had to be addressed was Andy’s age – at 19 he required his parent’s consent to enlist. His father, who he had named as his legal next-of-kin, provided Andy with the necessary document.
‘…I the undersigned hereby give permission for my son Andrew John Gray to offer his services for his King and country. Dated this 4th day of January 1915…’
Andy had the added advantage of having trained with the Beaufort detachment of the 71st Infantry Regiment. This experience, one shared by the majority of young Australian males of the period, was an important element of the overall performance of the AIF.

The new recruits poured their energies into training at Broadmeadows Camp. After Andy was assigned to the 4th reinforcements to the 7th Infantry Battalion on 12 March, he was allotted the regimental number of 1757; at this point he held the rank of private.
Andy had been granted a final leave pass so that he could return to Lexton to visit his family and friends. On Saturday evening, 13 March, Andy was surprised by his workmates from Hawkes Brothers: the men gathered in the waiting-room of the local railway station prior to his departure. Andy was presented with a gold wristlet watch by the Harry Seager. The speeches were deeply moving, with Harry wishing his young colleague ‘a safe return from the war.’ With his voice filled with emotion, Andy thanked them all for the gift, which he would treasure, and their kind words.

On 14 April 1915, Andy sailed from Melbourne onboard HMAT Wiltshire. The reinforcements were under the command of two professional soldiers, second-lieutenants Eric Young and Shaw Gordon McLay.

After reaching Egypt, the reinforcements were immediately sent on to Gallipoli. The 7th Battalion had been severely depleted by the Landing at ANZAC and the subsequent major action at Cape Helles. When Andy joined his unit on 22 May, the 7th was down to an effective strength of 15 officers and only 399 men.
Andy was at ANZAC for just 45-days – on 6 July, in response to vigorous sniping by the 7th Battalion, the Turks launched a bombardment of 6-inch howitzer shells from the direction of Battleship Hill. The burst of one shell completely buried Andy Gray. When he was dug out, remarkably there were no external injuries, but he was suffering from shell concussion, damage to his right eye and deafness in his left ear. Initially, the concussion was regarded as slight, but his was later upgraded to severe and he was moved to the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital at Mudros on 14 July. He was then transferred back to Egypt on the Hospital Ship Soudan, reaching Alexandria on 22 July, where he was admitted to the No17 General Hospital.

Concerns over his failure to improve, prompted Andy’s evacuation to the United Kingdom on 4 August. He made the voyage onboard the Hospital Ship Letitia. After reaching England, he was admitted to the Military Hospital at Hampstead in London’s southeast on 15 August.

‘…25th August,
Mount Vernon Hospital, Hampstead,
Just a few lines to you hoping you are all well as this leaves me feeling just the thing. I am having a rather good time here. It is one of the most healthy spots in London. The hospital used to be a consumptive one but it is a military one now. Of course, being military, we are not allowed to go out walking in the streets, or to talk to people over the fence, and we cannot go into certain parts of the ground. The well-to-do of London, however, send round their cars and carriages, and, sometimes come themselves and take us out for drives. I was out the first day I was here but have not been out since as I never know when I will have to go before a specialist.

I have been under the X rays and have been seen by one specialist and have yet another to go before. They are both crack specialists of London. The right external rectus of my right eye is paralysed; my superior, and inferior obliques are affected and there was a suspicion of early papilloedema, but I do not know what is up with my left ear. I do not know if you will understand what those parts mentioned of my eye are, but I hardly think you will. I don't at any rate. I think I will be given glasses, and the Colonel of the hospital said that it will come right in time.

I do not think I will be going back to the front again…
There are not many Australians in this hospital. There has been a place called Harefield Park given to the military authorities for the use of Australians only. There are four lads from New Zealand in the ward with me. There are only ten beds in it altogether.
My watch is still going strong but the leather perished and broke.
The ride I had in the car was splendid. Two ladies came up in a taxi to take out two lads so the matron sent a New Zealand lad and I. We had a great drive round parts of London. Saw Nelson's column and Parliament House. We also went into Westminster Abbey. Afternoon service was on at the time. The singing by the choir was most beautiful and the organ is something wonderful. After the service we had a good look round inside. We saw the chair on which the Kings are crowned and the coronation stone. It is a most wonderful building. We were out driving for about three hours.

The visitors to the patients bring in plenty of flowers, so the wards are always full of them…’

His letters were always cheerful and interesting, and his parents awaited them with a degree of excitement.
While he was in hospital, Andy wrote to several family members in Scotland and he received several invitations to visit. After he was discharged from Mount Vernon, Andy immediately travelled north and enjoyed a very happy two-weeks leave with the various branches of the Gray, Cunningham and Stewart families.

It appears that sending Andy home to Australia for a “change” had been seriously considered, but he was instead employed in a ‘non-combative position of trust’ in England. On 20 November 1915, Andy joined the Australian Base Depot at Abbey Wood.

With his eye restored to its pre-injury function, Andy was prepared for a return to Egypt. He left the 17th Draft Battalion at the Australia Base Depot at Weymouth on 4 February 1916, reaching Cairo ten days later. On 5 March, Andy finally rejoined his battalion at Serapeum.

While there, Andy was re-united with his old school chum, Fred Rasdell, who was in camp nearby with the 22nd Battalion. The pair spent time sightseeing together, and when Fred wrote home to Mrs Mildred Acton, wife of Beaufort’s municipal clerk, Norman Beardsworth Acton, he mentioned how well Andy Gray looked after his trip to England and Scotland. Fred’s older brother, Private (1400) Harold William Rasdell, had been killed Lone Pine on 8 August 1915 fighting with the 14th Battalion. Fred was himself killed in action on 27 August 1918. 5

The 7th Battalion was destined to be one of the first Australian units to make the crossing to France. They left from Alexandria on 26 March onboard the beautifully appointed transport Megantic – astonishingly, even the men had cabins! On the last day of the voyage the Megantic encountered a very heavy swell. The ship rolled and pitched badly all night and by morning over two-thirds of the men were seasick. No doubt they were all intensely pleased when Marseilles was sighted. The Megantic pulled into the harbour at 4pm on 31 March.

Andy’s first experience of the Western Front came in the breastwork trenches forward of Fleurbaix towards the end of April. But it was at Pozières that the 7th Battalion faced the full force of the German
Army. During their first tour (22-27 July), Andy was attached to Headquarter Signallers. The bombardment encountered by these men was the worst so far experienced on the Western Front. Indeed, the shelling was so intense it was found necessary to call for volunteers to deliver special messages. Andy was joined by Leslie Homden, from Natimuk, and Tom Hicks, from Bendigo. These three young soldiers carried messages day and night between headquarters and the frontline trenches. Lieutenant William R. D’Altera recommended all three for the Military Medal – Andy Gray and Tom Hicks were to receive the decoration, but Leslie Homden missed out.

Andy was appointed to lance-corporal on 12 August, a small recognition for his outstanding work. Then, on 1 September, after the battalion had moved to the (then) relatively quiet sector outside Ypres in Belgium, he was promoted to corporal and named as company clerk.

It was in September that Mary Gray received a letter from Lieutenant D’Altera alerting the family to Andy’s bravery at the Front.

‘…Dear Madam,—It gives me very much pleasure to inform you that I have had the honour to recommend your son, Private A. J. Gray, for distinguished conduct during our recent fighting in the vicinity of Pozieres. Whether he will get some reward or not I am not sure, as there were many brave acts, performed on those days, and they may only grant a certain number. I hope your son gets something, as he thoroughly deserves it. But I am writing to you to let you know that his splendid services have not passed unnoticed. During the fighting the enemy shelled us continually with shells as big as 9.2's.

Telephone lines could not hold for long on account of the severe shelling, so we had recourse to sending messages by runner. At all times, both night and day, your son was always willing to volunteer for any work. You have my word for it that the shelling was absolutely terrible, and many times after sending your son out with a message I really did not expect him to return. I am sure that when you read this you will feel as proud of him as I am myself. I feel certain that in all our future engagements he will bear himself as gallantly as he did on this occasion. You must excuse the liberty I am taking of writing to you without his knowledge. Allow me to congratulate you on having such a son.—Yours sincerely, W. R. D'Altera…’

News that Andy had been put forward for an award was well received within the battalion – the young man had gained both respect and popularity, and was known as “Paddy” by his mates.

It was confirmed on 19 September that Andy Gray was to receive the Military Medal; it was awarded ‘by the Army Corps Commander under the authority granted by His Majesty the King.’ At Brigade Church Parade at Dominion Camp, Busseboom, on 4 October, Andy, along with a number of other 7th Battalion men, were scheduled to be decorated by General William Birdwood. However, just days before the ceremony, Andy was sent to hospital suffering from scabies. He was transferred to the 2nd Field Ambulance on 2 October before being moved through the Divisional Rest Station, the 1st Field Ambulance and then admitted to the 50th Casualty Clearing Station run by the 1/1st Northumbrians (British Territorial Force) housed in the Old Préfecture on the Rue de l’Orphilenat in Hazebrouck. He was effectively out of action for two weeks.

In the latter stages of 1916, the 7th Battalion spent a significant amount of time in the frontline at Gueudecourt in the Flers sector. They were behind the lines at St Vaast-en-Chaussée, northwest of Amiens, when, on 24 November, Andy was informed he had been appointed to the rank of lance-sergeant.

Following an extended period at Gueudecourt during December, the 7th Battalion was withdrawn to Melbourne A Camp at Mametz for Christmas. When the much-anticipated Christmas billies were distributed Andy Gray found himself in the line next to a man who received a billy packed by Miss Vera Wotherspoon of Beaufort. A similar coincidence was reported by Charlie Broadbent, from Main Lead, whose ‘special chum,’ from South Australia, received a billy sent by Miss Alma Harris, of Beaufort.

After receiving his Military Medal, Andy arranged for it to be sent home to his parents. The decoration was then put on display in the window of Hawkes Brothers with a full report and description in the Riponshire Advocate.

As part of the Second Battle of Bullecourt offensive in May 1917, the 7th Battalion was deployed in a supporting roll south of Quéant. They were not used during the subsequent Battle of Messines in June.
Andy Gray was seconded for duty in England in late August. As a result, he was away from his unit during the significant battles of Menin Road and Broodseinde Ridge in September and October. He was attached to the Permanent Cadre of the 2nd Training Battalion at Durrington on 3 September. From 7 November, he undertook extra duties with the rank of full sergeant.
It wasn’t until 2 March 1918 that Andy returned to France, reverting to the rank of lance-sergeant on proceeding overseas. He reached his unit, which was then in Murrumbidgee Camp at La Clytte (De Klijte) outside Ypres, on 6 March.

The 15 May 1918 was meant to be a quiet day. Andy Gray and a fellow sergeant in A Company, Leslie James Gordon Clark, had been out on fatigues the previous night and were resting in a barn at billets near Borre. At about 7:30am, the enemy unexpectedly shelled the area – one shell landed directly on the barn. Both Clark (from Kinimakatka, near Nhill) and Andy Gray were killed instantly. Second-Lieutenant Albert Mettam was hit at the same time and died on a stretcher being carried away from the scene.

Andy’s body was removed to the Borre British Cemetery, 1½-miles east of Hazebrouck, for burial. Clark and Mettam were buried in graves immediately to his right.

On Saturday 26 May 1918, a cablegram reached Charles and Mary Gray at Lexton. Flags in the town were immediately lowered to half-mast, alerting the community to a local tragedy.

Harry Seager, on hearing the news, immediately travelled across to Lexton to express his sympathies and those of the staff to Andy’s parents in person. He also arranged for the lowering of the flag over the store. The following day the Riponshire flag was also flown at half-mast as ‘a last civic tribute’ to the two district soldiers killed that week – Walter Waldron, from Shirley, and Andy Gray.

Patriotic eulogising of the fallen soldier appeared in numerous newspapers, but facts became rather blurred, with one reporter stating that he had taken part in ‘the famous landing at Gallipoli,’ and that he had ‘escaped injury’ until his exploits at Pozières. It was stated that he had ‘suffered acutely from his wounds,’ but that the ‘fine spirit that characterised his life again manifested itself and he appealed to be allowed to return to the ranks.’ Whilst the time-frame was inaccurate, there can be little doubt as to Andy’s desire to return to the Front. It was a common characteristic of men of the AIF. And, although Andy did not land at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, the battalion adjutant, on mentioning his death in the unit diary, made special note that he was ‘an original man.’

For Charles and Mary Gray this was a particularly trying time. Both had played central roles in organising farewell functions for local soldiers. Mary was an active fundraiser for charities, especially the Amherst Hospital, where Charles would later be named a life governor. They had the added concerns that their second son, David, was still away on active service. This was further compounded when he was reported wounded in action on 18 August 1918. However, the shrapnel wound to his left wrist effectively ended David Gray’s war and he returned home safely to Australia.

That was not the case for two of Mary Gray’s brothers. Lance-Corporal (1090) Laurence Cunningham had been killed at Pozières on 26 July 1916 whilst serving with the 8th Battalion. Corporal Thomas Cunningham (856 of the 39th Battalion) was then killed in action on 31 August 1918. It is difficult to comprehend the mix of emotions that beset Mary when she gave birth to her final child, Daisy Lorraine, on 5 November 1918, just six days before the signing of the Armistice. Her grief must have been profound.

Andy Gray died not knowing of the arrival of his youngest sister. When he completed his paybook Will on 10 July 1917, he had named his then youngest sister, Mary Jean, as his sole beneficiary. She was just six at the time of her brother’s death.

Two small parcels of effects were eventually returned to Lexton – all that Andy had carried with him during that time away were wrapped in those packages: two safety razors (one in a case with blades), an identity disc, a wallet, photos and cards. There was no mention of his cherished watch.

One of Charles Gray’s last acts was to complete the circular for Andy’s inclusion on the National Roll of Honour. In January 1924, he lay seriously ill in the Amherst Hospital. Sadly, he did not recover, dying there on 18 January.

Andy Gray’s name was added as a memorial on family grave at the Lexton Cemetery. His name also appeared on the Honour Roll at Hawkes Brothers’ Store in Geelong. The small timber board commemorates the names of twenty men – six of whom were killed.

David Gray, who resumed his pre-war career as a teacher with the Education Department, was to name his first-born son Andrew.

After her husband’s death, Mary Gray moved into Ballarat with her youngest children and third son, Arthur. They made their home at 1131 Eyre Street.
During the Second World War, Mary saw three of her grandsons serve in the 2nd AIF – Andrew Gray with the 2/5th Battalion and Robert Gray with the Royal Australian Artillery, and Charles Ernest Clark with the Royal Australian Air Force.

As the years passed, Mary outlived many of her own family, including her eldest daughter, Myrtle. She was still living in Eyre Street when she celebrated her 90th Birthday in 1964. When Mary died on 27 March 1968, she had lived through two World Wars, and had been a widow for 44 years.