Born 22/11/1914 at Merlin, the son of Robert Ira. and Susan E. Gray; the brother of Maxine (Stewdson).

‘Bill’ enlisted in the RCAF on 15/08/1940  in Toronto. Bill was still in Windsor, ON. when his mother, sister Maxine and Mrs. Percy Gray visited him. Merlin Standard 2/01/41. Bill was stationed at RCAF – Dunnville in 1941 when he was given a week-end pass to visit his home. MS 27/02/41.  Graduating as a pilot on 30/03/1941 after training at Prince Rupert, BC. Brandon, ON. and Regina, AB. and received his commission at Dunnville, ON. The MS 2/04/41 reported that Bill was spending ‘several days at home.  Sgt. Pilot Gray departed for Nova Scotia after his two weeks leave before going overseas. MS 17/04/41. 

He arrived overseas in England 1/05/1941 and joined RAF 226 Squadron RAF as a Pilot Officer and was promoted to F/O in March of 1942.  P/O. Gray reported home “Dear Mother, Arrived safe letter will follow”. MS 8/05/41   Flying medium bombers, Blenheims, Bostons and Mitchell’s on day-light mission. The squadron’s missions included low-level attacks on enemy ships in port including the Gneisnau and Scharnhorst, two of Germany’s capital ships, but mostly they engaged in high-level bombing in the Pas de Calais, France.

Missions were governed by weather and on good days two “Ops” were common and often his planes returned riddled with holes, on one occasion he had to make a crash landing. He never lost a crew member on a mission, though he did return with a crew member badly wounded. William personally carryout 33 successful sorties, which earned him the right to come home on leave. While being overseas he only met three local boys, Happy Parnaby for a day. About five minutes chat Glen Gardiner and just before he left Irvin Minchin whom he spent a week with.   

After three years on active service with 226 Squadron RAF, Swanton Morley, Norfolk, England; and after 33 bombing operations over enemy territory Bill returned to Merlin on a month’s leave, arriving in New York by ship, to Ottawa by train and then home.  Before being posted to instructional duties near Vancouver, BC. Sqd. Ldr. Gray was feted by the Merlin Community Club for his outstanding work overseas.   

In his address to the one hundred in attendance William was called upon to give some account of his activities, which he did without offending the censorship regulations. He also drew a compassion between people living in England and Canada. He also stressed the importance of the ‘comforts’ sent overseas and the importance of the work of the Merlin Community Club and the boost to moral it gives the men and women serving. He made a point of pointing out how important it was to receive the Merlin Standard one of the main things he looked forward too. He was very happy to be home again. MS. 16/03/44

A report of the Overseas Box Committee revealed that during the last month  73 boxes with 24 chocolate bars each have been sent overseas. Since the first of January 22,500 cigarettes have also gone to the men and women from the Merlin district who are overseas.

The MS (date unknown) reported he left to report for duty after a month at his home in Merlin after returning from overseas. He expected to be posted on instructional duties in British Columbia.

An article from the CDN 14/06/45 and perhaps also in the Merlin Standard shows a picture of Sqd. Ldr. Gray after being awarded a King’s Commendation for “Valuable services in the air”. The article is undated. PA/GWI(P). Willian was discharged from the RCAF in November 1945.

William would marry Betty (nee Secord) and they had two children: Robert and Gavin.

Bill Gray passed away 1 April, 2006 and is buried at the Sherman Cemetery, Thamesville, ON.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

PA/GWI, MSC42-43, RCL465, MD-RH, CDN, MS, RCLM, DMS, PA/GWI, DM Scrapbook, J. Currie-notes

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