GRAY, William Benjamin
| Service Number: | 121851 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 December 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Leading Aircraftman |
| Last Unit: | No. 82 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Prospect, South Australia, 11 June 1924 |
| Home Town: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Rostrevor College, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Accountant |
| Died: | Natual causes (heart attack), Walkerville South Australia, 5 February 2011, aged 86 years |
| Cemetery: |
Enfield Memorial Park, South Australia Cremation Only |
| Memorials: | South Australian Garden of Remembrance |
World War 2 Service
| 9 Dec 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, 121851, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Dec 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 121851 | |
| 10 Dec 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, 121851, No. 82 Squadron (RAAF) |
History
William Benjamin Gray was born in Adelaide on 11/6/1924. He was educated at Prospect and then at Rostrevor College. He obtained work at Islington Railway yards and when he tried to enlist, he was refused as he was in what was termed a protected industry. He continued to persevere and finally obtained his wish to enlist. He enlisted into the Royal Australian Airforce on 9/12/1942.
He was sent to Melbourne and Sydney to attend radio courses on 15/6/43
These courses qualified him to repair and rebuild aircraft radios.
He was the moved to Bankstown to join Number 82 Squadron (Kittyhawks)
27/4/1944 he moved to Townsville for seven months
2/11/1944 he was moved to Papua New Guinea Noemfoor Island for four months
3/3/1945 moved to Morotai Island in the Almaharas for three months
18/6/1945 moved to Labuan Borneo
5/11/1945 Flew from Borneo to Darwin in an RAAF Catalina Flying boat and then transferred to a Mitchell Bomber to fly from Darwin to Mallalla. He was taken by Army truck to Gepps Cross from where he walked home to Prospect just north of Regency Road.
He was discharged on the 30/1/1946.
He was married to Irene at this stage and they had five children, two boys and three girls. He studied accountancy and worked for a long time as an investigator for the Taxation department.
He restored a 1934 Chevrolet Sports Roadster and at the time of his death he had five children, eight grandchildren and eight great grand children.
Submitted 23 March 2015 by Robert DALY
Biography contributed by Daryl Jones
Son of Alfred Whyndon GRAY and Elizabeth Jean nee SECKER, 258 Prospect Road, Prospect, SA
Biography contributed by Trevor Pyatt
William Benjamin "Ben" Gray
William Benjamin Gray, affectionately known throughout his life as "Ben," was born on 11 June 1924 at Prospect, South Australia, the younger surviving son of Alfred Whyndom Gray and Elizabeth Jean Secker. His birth was registered in the Adelaide district in Book 136A, Page 76.
Ben grew up in Adelaide during the difficult years of the Great Depression alongside his older brother Brian Whyndom Gray. The family had previously suffered the heartbreaking loss of infant sister Nancy Jean Gray in 1920.
Educated at Rostrevor College, Ben developed strong academic and technical abilities from a young age. His Royal Australian Air Force records reveal studies in mathematics, science, bookkeeping, technical drawing, and engineering-related subjects, reflecting an intelligent and practical young man preparing for adulthood during a rapidly changing world.
Before enlistment, Ben worked as a French polisher and later as a warehouse assistant. Character references preserved within his wartime service file describe him as:
"honest, trustworthy and conscientious in his work"
and
"always ready to give attention to matters of the highest ideals."
During the Second World War, Ben enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force at Adelaide, South Australia, under service number 121851. His next of kin was recorded as his father, Alfred Gray of Prospect Road, Prospect.
Ben trained as a:
Wireless Mechanic / Wireless Assistant — RAAF
His wartime training included wireless maintenance, mathematics, science, electrical technology, technical drawing, soldering, and woodwork.
The surviving RAAF enlistment photograph captures Ben as a young wartime recruit — neatly dressed, confident, and representative of the generation whose youth was shaped by global conflict and service.
Ben served throughout the war years and was discharged from the Royal Australian Air Force in January 1946.
Following the war, he returned to civilian life during the optimistic rebuilding years of post-war Australia. He later established a career as an accountant, reflecting the discipline, reliability, and technical skills evident throughout his service records.
On 20 December 1947, William Benjamin Gray married Irene Veronica Paget at Queen of Angels Church. Irene was the daughter of Ernest Frederick Paget and Alice Jane Keough.
Ben remained closely connected to the family legacy established by his parents Alfred and Jean Gray. His nickname "Ben" was affectionately included on Alfred Gray's memorial plaque at Enfield Memorial Park:
"Forever remembered by his wife Jean, sons Brian and Ben."
William Benjamin "Ben" Gray died of natural causes following a heart attack at Walkerville, South Australia, on 5 February 2011, aged 86 years.
He was cremated and is commemorated within the South Australian Garden of Remembrance at Enfield Memorial Park.
Ben's life spanned nearly nine decades of extraordinary change — from the Depression years and wartime service through to modern South Australia. He is remembered as a wartime airman, accountant, devoted husband, and proud South Australian whose quiet strength reflected the values of his generation.
Education
Rostrevor College
Occupation
Accountant
Royal Australian Air Force Service
Service Number: 121851
Enlisted: Adelaide, South Australia
Trade: Wireless Mechanic / Wireless Assistant
Service Branch: Royal Australian Air Force
Discharged: January 1946
Next of Kin: Alfred Gray
Marriage
Spouse: Irene Veronica Paget
Married: 20 December 1947
Location: Queen of Angels Church
Death & Memorial
Died: 5 February 2011
Place of Death: Walkerville, South Australia
Cause: Natural causes (heart attack)
Age: 86 years
Memorial
South Australian Garden of Remembrance
Biography by Trevor Pyatt 15/05/2026
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