No.40743, Private, William BRAY
Aged 33
|
Albert Edward BRAY was born in Gayton, Norfolk (Freebridge Lynn Q3-1884 4B:341), son of John and Frances BRAY (née SMITH ).
Apparently he was always known as William. 1891 census...Aged 7, he was at "The Royal Oak, Winch Road, Gayton, Freebridge Lynn with his father John BRAY [31] licensed victualler/ roadman, born Gayton; his mother Franny [28] born Grimston; sister Violet [9] born Gayton and aunt Emma SMITH [14] born Grimston. 1901 census...Aged 16, an apprentice bicycle maker,he was at Downham Road, South Runcton, Norfolk with his parents (father now a shepherd); sisters Violet and Edith V [7] born Gayton. By 1903 he had moved to Haverhill and was working for Charles Claydon, cycle agent and living on the premises at 49 High Street. and in October 1903, aged 19, he married a local girl, Ellen FARRANT,(b.29-3-1885) whose parents lived at 7 Mill Road. Her father was a stationary engine stoker, looking after "Caroline", the steam engine at Chauntry Mills of D.Gurteen and Son. 1911 census...Aged 28, a cycle repair man, he was at 7 Peas Hill, Haverhill with his wife Ellen [26] shop keeper born in Haverhill; their two Haverhill born sons, William Albert [7](9-12-1903) and Jack [5](22-3-1906). They apparently were running two businesses, William repairing bicycles and Ellen a confectioners shop previous run by Mrs.Mary Sparrow. Ellen was at 7 Peas Hill initially, then moving to 28 Mount Road, Haverhill. Ellen never remarried and died in 1968, age 83. In 1939 she was living at 56 Mill Road, Haverhill, the same address as given by CWGC in the 1920's |
|
He enlisted in Sudbury in the Army Service Corps and was later transferred to the 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. That battalion's
war diary has :- " Cambrin - 18/4/18 - About 4 am a very heavy bombardment commenced north of the canal, this gradually spread to Bn sector S of CANAL and to CAMBRIN area which was shelled with 8 ", 5.9", and gas. Coys all stood to from5 am. About 9 am a strong attack launched at GIVENCHY and FESTUBERT front on 1st and 3rd BDE At 10 am 1 platoon "D" Coy moved to VAUXHALL BRIDGE (the Army's name for the bridge over the canal near the station at Cambrin), to take up position and hold bridgehead if necessary. 11:30 am remainder of details moved up and relieved a Coy of CAMERON HIGHrs at PONT FIXE N. At about the same time 3 platoons of "A" Coy went to WESTMINSTER BRIDGE. Enemy held up on both 1st and 3rd Bde fronts on main line of resistance. During afternoon 5th NOTTS and DERBY 46th Div came up and took over duties of Support Bt at CAMBRIN. A and C Coy withdrawn to CAMBRIN to rest prior to counter attack N of CANAL. 8 pm B Coy moved up to relieve a Coy of CAMERONS at VAUXHALL and WESTMINSTER bridges" It is likely a war bridge was in place over the canal at the end of "Westminster Bridge Road". The CWG figure for the battalion on the 18th was 11 killed.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
