Robert Hampton Gray, VC – Fact Quest

Aim

To increase youth’s awareness about Robert Hampton Gray, Canada’s last Victoria Cross recipient of the Second World War.

Objectives

Youth will:

• demonstrate a basic understanding of the major events in Robert Hampton Gray’s military life; and
• learn about the end of the Second World War.

Target audience

This activity is suitable for ages 15 to 18.

Sequence of events and anticipated time frame [50 minutes]

(This activity can be modified to fit available time.)

• Introductory discussion [15 minutes]
• Research [20 minutes]
• Wrap-up and discussion [15 minutes]
• Possible extension activity [variable]

Materials

• Robert Hampton Gray, VC article on The Canadian Encyclopedia website
• R. H. Gray VC – Fact quest - Question sheet
• R. H. Gray VC – Fact quest - Answer sheet
• Robert Hampton Gray dog tag

Introductory discussion [15 minutes]

Ask your students what they know about the Second World War. You can ask them if they know when the war started (September 1939), how many Canadian men and women in total served (more than one million; some 45,000 died) and when the conflict ended (May 1945 in Europe and August 1945 in Asia). Ask them if they have heard of the Victoria Cross. Do they know it is the highest military decoration for bravery awarded to members of Commonwealth forces? Only 16 Canadians were decorated with the Victoria Cross (VC) during the Second World War, and Robert Hampton Gray was one of them. In fact, Gray was the last Canadian to earn the VC during the conflict. Sadly he lost his life in the effort, dying less than a week before the war came to an end.

Research [20 minutes]

Have your students read the article on Robert Hampton Gray, VC on The Canadian Encyclopedia website. It could be read online, or there is a print-friendly option that could also be used.

Then, distribute R. H. Gray VC – Fact quest - Question sheet. Students could first try to answer the questions without using the article, to test their memory!

Wrap-up discussion [15 minutes]

Review the questions with the class, using the R. H. Gray VC – Fact quest - Answer sheet. Distribute one Robert Hampton Gray dog tag to each student. With a piece of string, wear the dog tag as a way to honour this true Canadian hero and all of the other brave Canadians who served and died during the Second World War.

Possible extension activity [variable]

Using the Robert Hampton Gray dog tag, encourage your students to visit the Canadian Virtual War Memorial and search for his memorial page there. Fill in missing information on the dog tag and read more about him.

Students can also search on the web to learn more about this brave pilot. There is lots of relevant online information about his life, the numerous ways he is honoured in Canada and overseas, as well as historical videos about him.