Son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Trail Gray and Jean (nee Crichton) Gray of 681 Queen Street, Chatham.  They had lived in Leamington before coming to Chatham.  The brother of Janet, Anne, Jean, Kate, Betty, Bobby and Daniel Bruce also serving.   A pupil of Queen Mary Public School and the Chatham Collegiate Institute.  Prior to his enlistment he had joined the Canadian Bank of Commerce.  The husband of Karen (nee McGrath). The father of Bonnie Jean (Gray-Wallace).

Frank  joined the Canadian Bank of Commerce after completing high school.

Served with the 2nd Kent Regiment.

Appears on the ‘Muster Roll’ of the 2nd Bn., Kent Regiment (MG), N.P.A.N. (date unknown).

It was reported that Frank was leaving to join the 30^th Reece Regt. as a Cpl. A67000, perhaps with his brother Bruce in 1939. CDN 3/10/42

Joined the Army along with his brother Bruce in 1939. For some time he was in the 2^nd Battalion of the Kent Regt. (A470426) and transferred to the ‘active forces’ with 30^th Recce Regt. He served in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. While serving in Germany he was wounded by a landmine, suffering a concussion , broken collarbone and a shattered leg 29 March, 1945. When asked if he would like to go on a cruise, he replied that two trips across the Atlantic was enough cruising for him. 

For a time was instructor at #12 B.T.C. Later joined the 30th Recce. Regiment and went overseas, in July 1943. Served in England and then in Holland and after being wounded in March was sent back to hospital in England.

Frank served in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. The CDN 26/06/45 reported that Tpr. Gray had arrived home still recuperating from a broken left leg, broken collarbone and concussion sustained 29 March 1945 while fighting in Germany. After his wounding he had been transferred to hospital in England. He had been overseas for two years.

After arriving home he told the reporter that he would like to continue his studies at the University of Western Ontario in London. Later in life when asked if he would like to go on a cruise he would answer that he crossed the Atlantic twice on troop and Hospital ships and that was enough.

Discharged October 1945.

Frank returned to Chatham after the war to convalesce and recovered when the war ended. He rejoined the bank and stayed with that for 43 years.

He married his wife Grace (nee Comfort) in 1949. Frank, Grace and along with his daughter Bonnie Jean moved many times in Southwestern Ontario, finally ending up in Ottawa. After retirement he enjoyed golf. He had a passion for gardening, a member of the Kiwanis Club and was involved in many community fundraising projects.  Two years after Grace’s death Frank married Karen (nee McGraith) in 1999.

Frank passed away 1 February, 2017 at home at the time he was living in Ottawa, ON. CDN-obit.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

2KRMR, IODE(P), CFF-FD44, CCI-RH, CDN, CDN, email 4/03/18 K.M.Gray.

Birthplace	Chatham, Ontario
Religion	Presbyterian
When Enlisted	January 1st, 1942
Next of Kin	Mother- Mrs. Jean Gray

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