Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Robert Hampton Gray
In memory of:
Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray
August 9, 1945
Military Service
27
Navy
Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve
H.M.S. Formidable
1939-45 Star
Atlantic Star
Africa Star
Pacific Star
Defence Medal
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp
War Medal 1939-45 with Oak Leaf (Mentioned-in-Despatches).
The citation in the London Gazette of November 13, 1945, gives the following particulars:
For great valour in leading an attack on a Japanese destroyer in Onagawa Wan on 9th August, 1945. In the face of fire from shore batteries and a heavy concentration of fire from some five warships, Lieutenant Gray pressed home his attack, flying very low in order to ensure success. Although he was hit and his aircraft was in flames, he obtained at least one direct hit, sinking the destroyer. Lieutenant Gray constantly showed a brilliant fighting spirit and most inspiring leadership.
Distinguished Service Cross
Victoria Cross
Additional Information
November 2, 1917
Trail, British Columbia
July 18, 1940
Calgary, Alberta
Son of John Balfour and Wilhelmina Gray (1969 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother), of Nelson, British Columbia.
Brother of Phyllis Gray-Gautschi of Nelson, British Columbia.
His brother John (Jack) Gray died on February 27, 1942 while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Commemorated on Page 520 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.
Robert Hampton Gray is a recipient of the Victoria Cross.
Complete list of Canadian Victoria Cross Recipients
Burial Information
HALIFAX MEMORIAL
Nova Scotia, Canada
Panel 13.
The HALIFAX MEMORIAL in Nova Scotia's capital, erected in Point Pleasant Park, is one of the few tangible reminders of the men who died at sea. Twenty-four ships were lost by the Royal Canadian Navy in the Second World War and nearly 2,000 members of the RCN lost their lives. This Memorial was erected by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and was unveiled in November 1967 with naval ceremony by H.P. MacKeen, Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, in the presence of R. Teillet, then Minister of Veterans Affairs. The monument is a great granite Cross of Sacrifice over 12 metres high, clearly visible to all ships approaching Halifax. The cross is mounted on a large podium bearing 23 bronze panels upon which are inscribed the names of over 3,000 Canadian men and women who were buried at sea. The dedicatory inscription, in French and English, reads as follows:
1918-1945
IN THE HONOUR OF
THE MEN AND WOMEN
OF THE NAVY
ARMY AND MERCHANT NAVY
OF CANADA
WHOSE NAMES
ARE INSCRIBED HERE
THEIR GRAVES ARE UNKNOWN
BUT THEIR MEMORY
SHALL ENDURE.
On June 19, 2003, the Government of Canada designated September 3rd of each year as a day to acknowledge the contribution of Merchant Navy Veterans.
Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
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