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238581 Sub Lt. Rupert Gray MID British Army Howe Btn. Royal Naval Division from:Northampton Rupert Gray was a CPO in the RN before joining the Royal Naval Division as an experienced old hand. He served in the Defence of Antwerp and Gallipoli with the Howe Battalion. During the Gallipoli campaign CPO Gray was MID in October 1915 during a fierce encounter at Worcester Barricade. He was commissioned in the field as a Sub lieutenant and returned to the UK for further training and leave. He rejoined the Howe and participated in the taking of Beaument Hamel on 13/14th November 1916. He was severely wounded and buried alive by an exploding shell. He survived but suffered from neurasthenia (shell shock) and was sent as a special case to Lord Knutsford's Red Cross Hospital in London. He then came to Templeton House Hospital before going on to several other convalescent hospitals, mainly at Silwood Park, Sunningdale and Martineau Hospital, Holyport. He was eventually discharged in August 1918 with traumatic neurasthenia. Rupert Gray served on HMS Medina during the Dehli Durbar Coronation in 1911 and received the medal and a RN Long Service Medal. No information is available as to his later years and how he was able to cope with his disability. His next of kin was given as Brother 'Thomas' Central Hotel, Wood Street, Northampton. Additional Information: During the 1920s Rupert Gray gradually recovered from the worst effects of his neurasthenia but continued to suffer more from the effects of the physical wounds he had received at Beaumont-Hamel. During the 1930s he lived with the Duffy family at their home in 475 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, Kent until his death. He left his Commission certificate and other effects to the daughter of that household, Esme Duffy. She, in turn, left these effects after her death to her eldest son, Dr. K. R. Grant. Esme Duffy described Rupert Gray as, "A kind and very caring man, who showed great bravery and fortitude in coping with the on-going effects of the injuries he had received in France in 1916. A true gentleman." Dr. Keith Grant Reply Please type your message:      We recommend you copy the text about this item and keep a copy on your own computer before pressing submit. Your Name:             Email Address:       @ **Please put first part of your email, (before the @ sign) in the first box, and the second part in the second box. Do not include @, it is automatic. Do not enter your full email in each box or add an @ sign or random spaces.**