Born Bridlington, Yorkshire, 1896. Son of Louise (Lucy) Taylor and the late David Whiting Gray, of 28, Carlton Street, Bridlington, and 6, Ash Grove, Abbey Street, Holderness Road, Hull (war pension address). His mother was born in New Ross, ireland and came to Hull to work as a domestic servant. She married David Whiting Gray in 1895 and William was born a year later. He had two sisters and a brother and worked as an Errand Lad.
He enlisted at Bridlington, with his younger brother, David, and both served overseas together with the 5th Yorkshire regiment.
William died of wounds, on 11/03/1917, aged 22. Buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, France. His grave inscription, reads,
“UPRIGHT AND TRUE
IN ALL HIS WAYS
FAITHFUL AND BRAVE
TO THE END OF HIS DAYS”
His army effects were left to his mother, Lucy Taylor, who remarried and moved back to Hull.
His brother David (1898-1972) survived the war and served as a Staff Sergeant in WW2.
