George Gray
George Gray was born on the 6th November 1894 to parents Frederick and Susan Gray living on Scots Hill. He was baptised on the 2nd December 1894 by Astley Roberts, vicar of All Saints church, recorded in the church archives Baptism register. His father is listed as a Baker.
The 1911 census reveals the family moved to 237 New Road.
George would have attended the two local school at this time, Yorke Road and later the Old Boys' school in the Watford Road, both administered and managed by All Saints church.
On leaving school George would have joined many of the village boys to work at John Dickinson, the local paper mill and he was employed as a Beater helper.
His parents had several children including, Charlotte, Frederick, Alice, Amelia, Harry, Ernest and Dick.
Just one month after the war was declared George enlisted on the 7th September 1914 at Marylebone London age 19 years 10 months. He was sent with the 7th Service Battalion Bedfordshire, Regiment No. 15269 to France the following year in July, leaving from Folkestone, Kent.
According to the Regiment's records the 7th Battalion - a 'Service' battalion was raised specifically for the duration of the war in September 1914 as a part of Lord Kitchener's K2 Army Group. They served entirely on the Western Front until the bulk of the battalion was transferred into the 2nd Battalion in May 1918. A cadre of officers and NCO's were assigned to train American units until the battalion was completely disbanded in July 1918. This information is also recorded in George's original Service Records.
George's father Frederick in later life, is known to have occupied No 4 Berean Cottages in front of All Saints church, http://www.croxleygreenhistory.co.uk/council-houses.html They were demolished to provide a new church hall. opened in November 1932
The 1911 census reveals the family moved to 237 New Road.
George would have attended the two local school at this time, Yorke Road and later the Old Boys' school in the Watford Road, both administered and managed by All Saints church.
On leaving school George would have joined many of the village boys to work at John Dickinson, the local paper mill and he was employed as a Beater helper.
His parents had several children including, Charlotte, Frederick, Alice, Amelia, Harry, Ernest and Dick.
Just one month after the war was declared George enlisted on the 7th September 1914 at Marylebone London age 19 years 10 months. He was sent with the 7th Service Battalion Bedfordshire, Regiment No. 15269 to France the following year in July, leaving from Folkestone, Kent.
According to the Regiment's records the 7th Battalion - a 'Service' battalion was raised specifically for the duration of the war in September 1914 as a part of Lord Kitchener's K2 Army Group. They served entirely on the Western Front until the bulk of the battalion was transferred into the 2nd Battalion in May 1918. A cadre of officers and NCO's were assigned to train American units until the battalion was completely disbanded in July 1918. This information is also recorded in George's original Service Records.
George's father Frederick in later life, is known to have occupied No 4 Berean Cottages in front of All Saints church, http://www.croxleygreenhistory.co.uk/council-houses.html They were demolished to provide a new church hall. opened in November 1932
George Gray
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George Gray left, with two local Croxley boys also in uniform taken sometime during the war. On the right is George Howard and George Cheater is seated
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