Biographical Data

Gray, Robert Hampton

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Title Lieutenant (P) (RCNVR)
Official Number O-29020
 
Birth 02/11/1917 Death 09/08/1945
Place Trail Place Onagawa Bay
Area BC Area
Country Canada Country Japan
 
Titles
Honours VC. DSC. M.I.D.
Awards
Qualifications
 
Biography
He was the first naval officer elected to the Aviation Hall of Fame in Edmonton AB.
 
Military Service
He was appointed as an Ordinary Seaman RCNVR (With seniority dated 18/07/1940). He served in the Calgary Division RCNVR 1940. He served in HMCS Stadacona 1940. He served in H.M.S. Victory 1940. He served in H.M.S. St. Vincent 1940. He served in RAF Luton for #24 Elementary Flying Training School 1940. He served in Kingston ON for #31 Service Flying Training 1941. (CFR). He was appointed as a Sub-Lieutenant (Temp.) RCNVR (With seniority dated 31/12/1942) (Later backdated to 05/12/1941). He served in RNAS Daedelus as Additional 1941. He served in RNAS Yeovilton for H.M.S. Heron for Operational Fighter Training 1941. He served in RNAS Worthy Down for H.M.S. Kestrel for 757 RN Squadron 1942. He served in H.M.S. Afrikander I as Additional in FAA Pool 1942. He served in RNAS Wingfield for H.M.S. Malagas for 789 RN Squadron 1942. He served in H.M.S. Illustrious for Deck Landing Training 1942. He was appointed as a Lieutenant (P) (Temp.) RCNVR (With seniority dated 31/12/1942 later backdated to 31/12/1941). He served in H.M.S. Kipanga for 795 RN Squadron 1942. He served in H.M.S. Kipanga for 803 RN Squadron 1942. He served in H.M.S. Kipanga for 795 RN Squadron 1943. He served in H.M.S. Korongo for 877 RN Squadron 1943. He served in H.M.S. Heron for 748 RN Squadron for Refresher Flying Course 1944. He served in H.M.S. Formidable for 1841 Squadron as Pilot 1944. He was killed in action, shot down, at Onagawa Bay Japan in 1945.
 
Vessels Owned
Aircraft Flown Service Aircraft Flown: Skua, Fulmar, Martlet, Corsair II
Named Features
 
Anecdotes
He was posthumously award the Victoria Cross - "For great valour in leading, from the aircraft carrier Formidable, an attack on a Japanese destroyer in Onagawa Wan, in the Japanese Island of Honshu, on August 9, 1945. In the face of fire from shore batteries and a heavy concentration of fire from some five warships. 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. Gray has shown a brilliant fighting spirit and most inspiring leadership."
 
References
Government of Canada The Canadian Navy List Ottawa ON; Blatherwick, John (1992); MacFarlane, John and Robbie Hughes (1997); http://www.unithistories.com/officers/RCNVR_officers.html
Last update
2015-06-05 00:00:00

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