L. H Gray was born in 1895 and worked for the Gas Company in London.
He joined up in 1916, as a Private to the 2nd Company, London Yeomanry and fought on the Western Front at Rouen and Nevue Chappelle.
L. H. Gray worked with German POWs. The belt buckle ashtray that was bought in was made from one of the POW's belts.
L. H. Gray survived the war and returned to the Gas Company. He wrote an account of his time in the war - a mixture of the history of the war and a personal memoir.
He died in the late 1950s.
Andrew found the lens and metal surround from a pair of googles when he was visiting Aubigny en Artois.
Andrew went to visit his Great Uncle's grave in the cemetery in Aubigny. He met the relatives of E Hewison (his great niece Andrew thinks) who died on the same day (1st June) and who is buried next to his great uncle.
Name of contributor(s)
Andy Gray (Grandson)Subject of the story/individual the object(s) relate to
L. H. GrayDate(s) the event(s) in the story took place
1916-1918Location(s) where the event(s) in the story took place
FranceObject(s)
L. H. Gray's British War Medal and Victory Medal in their original box.
2 German shell cases which had been turned into trench art
1 is dated 1915-6-7, and has been inscribed Westmister (spelt incorrectly) Dragoons, France
1 is dated 1917-8-9, and has been inscribed Militari-Mounted Police, France
2 x trench art knives
1 x Ashtray with a German belt buckle in the middle.
1 x Matchbox inscribed with Gray's own Regiment - made by Gray himself.
1 x souvenir helmet inkwell
1 x Boer War Embroidered Handkerchief (1902)
Andrew found the lens and metal surround from a pair of googles when he was visiting Aubigny en Artois.Community Collection Day
Dorking Museum, Surrey (04/05/19)
