206018 Cpl. William Gray British Army Highland Light Infantry from:School Street, Whifflet, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire My Dad, William Gray served in the HLI with either the 5th. or 6th. Battalation and I'm sure was at Maryhill Barracks in Glasgow around '39 to '40. He volunteered and trained as a Commando and was billeted in Buckie.
He took part in night-time raids especially Walcheren Island, Holland where he was wounded.
As his mates carried him on a stretcher back to their boat ignored the bullets, and brought a dressing gown from his home which he placed over
him to keep him warm - a kindness remembered with great affection. We have always treasured this memory as an indication of the respect between the Dutch and the Scots.
His C.O. sent my mother a lovely tribute as my Dad was hospitalised for some time. (He was to develop T.B. from his chest wounds and was in Hairmyres Hospital for approximately 10 years before being sent home to die around 1952. (We visited him there every Sunday via old, cold buses for the long trip.)
My younger brother is extremely keen to access our Dad's records. We cannot find his Service number, and so we cannot effectively trace his progress
I'm now a retired Church of Scotland Parish Minister who has the privilege of conducting the public Remembrance Service in Oban each year.
Any help you can give (especially Dad's Service number) will be greatly appreciated.
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