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Son of Charles Gray of Frankston, Vic.

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty and consistent good work. He has always set a splendid example to the N.C.O.'s and men of his unit, and has displayed untiring energy in the performance of his duties.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 137
Date: 30 August 1918

LABOR LEADER'S SON HONORED
Word has been received that Regimental Sergeant-Major Rowland F. Gray, oldest son of Mr C. Gray, secretary of the Melbourne Trades Hall  Council, and president of the Working Men's College Council, has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Regimental Sergeant-Major  Gray is a native of Newcastle (N.S.W.), but he was educated at Flinders School, Geelong. He is well known at Hay (N.S.W.), where he was in business for many years. He enlisted In Melbourne, and was trained at Ballarat, leaving for the front with the 39th Battalion in May, 1916.
In a letter congratulating him upon his decoration Brigadier-General W. Ramsay McNicoll, D.C.M.G., B.S.O., says: — "It is a decoration which is never awarded without it's having been earned by arduous and consistently good work, and you may well be proud that your work has been such that It has been deemed worthy of this recognition."

MR. R. F. GRAY, BURNIE
The death occurred at the Spencer Hospital, Wynyard, on Thursday, of Mr. Rowland Fuller Gray, of Burnie, at; the age of 58. Deceased, who was born at Newcastle, New South Wales, was educated at Geelong, Victoria. In 1916 he joined the 39th Battalion, 1st A.I.F., and saw service in  France, where, as a regimental sergeant major, ho won the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and was later promoted to the rank of lieutenant. For  some years he conducted a business in Hay, New South Wales. About 19 years ago he went to Burnie, where he followed his trade as a  hairdresser, and four years later opened a business on his own account, which he carried on until his health faded, when the management was  taken over by his son. In recent years he had suffered severe illness brought on by the effects of war service, but he maintained courage and cheerfulness in the face of physical adversity which would have been too great for one not endowed with those qualities as he possesed them.  His wife predeceased him about six years ago. He was a keen philatelist, and for many years was a constant supporter of the Presbyterian boys'  gymnasium. He is survived by one son, Rowley. The funeral will leave St. George's. Church of England fo-day, after a service commencing at  11.30 a.m., for the Wivenhoe cemetery.

The funeral of the late Mr. Rowland Fuller Gray, of Burnie, took place at the Wivenhoe cememetery on Saturday.   Services were conducted at the Church of England and the graveside by Rev. T.A. Cloudsdale.  Mr. A.G. Stokes, president of the R.S.S.A.I.L.A. read the R.S.L. burial service.  A large number of representatives from the sub-branch attended.  Mr. A. Clarke sounded the Last Post.  The chief mourner was the son, Mr. Rowley Gray.   The carrieres were Messrs. G. Wright, C.B. Guest, A.G. Stokes, R. Yaxley, H. Cranwell and L. Frnaks, and the pallbearers Messrs. W. Haygarth, N. Booth, S.E. Joyce and C. Masterton.  Among the many wreaths were tokens from the local sub-branch of the R.S.S.A.I.L.A.  and St. George's old-time dance committee.