247135 Pte. William Joseph Gray British Army 2nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers from:Acton, London (d.28th May 1918) William Gray was born in Notting Hill about 1897, youngest of the four sons of William Frederick and Sarah Gray. The 1901 census shows him living with his parents (then aged 4) and three brothers Frederick (13), Albert (11) and Richard (4). His father was a horse keeper and his mother was a laundress. The 1911 census shows that he was a coal porter, living at home with his parents (aged 15) and brothers Albert (20) and Ricahrd (19) at 9 Nelson Place, The Steyne, Acton, London.
William served with the 2nd Battalion, London Regiment and was attached to the 86th Trench Mortar Battery. The 86th Trench Mortar Battery was formed on 21st of April 1916 and was part of the 86th Infantry Brigade (known as the Fusilier Brigade) which formed the 29th Division.
He died on the 28th of May 1918, aged 22 years and is is buried in Le Grand Hasard Military Cemetery at Morbecque, France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.
His brother Frederick was the first of the Gray brothers to die serving his Country, on 28 April 1915. His other brother Richard died on 23 April 1918 less than a month before his own death. Tragically his parents lost 3 of their 4 sons to the War, it is not known if their brother Albert saw military service.
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