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Private Eric Andrew Gray
Description
TitlePrivate Eric Andrew GraySummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionEric was born at Hororata on 20 October 1895, son of Andrew and Emily Gray. Before enlisting he was a farm labourer for Selwyn County Council. He had previous military experience with the 13th Regiment Canterbury and West Coast. He was 5ft 7in (1.7m) tall with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair.
Eric enlisted at Trentham on 4 April 1916 and was assigned to C Company, 15th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Battalion. He embarked on 26th July 1916, arriving in England and Sling Camp on 3 October. He left for France on 20 October, reaching Etaples the next day. Whilst at Etaples camp on 3 November 1916 he was deemed improperly dressed on parade and had to spend two days confined to barracks. He was sent to join the 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regiment in the field on 8 November. He was wounded on 7 June 1917 suffering a gunshot wound to his neck and right arm. He was sent to hospital at Boulogne on 8 June and then by hospital ship to England on 9 June where he was admitted to No.1 New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst. After ten weeks in hospital he was sent on to Codford on 25 August and then to Sling Camp on 21 November 1917. From there he was sent back to France on 12th December arriving in Etaples on 16 December.
After Christmas at Etaples he joined the 1st Battalion Canterbury Regiment in the field on 6 January 18 being detached to the Signals Corps on 26 January 1918. He re-joined the battalion on 3 February and was killed in action on 27 March 1918, aged 22. The New Zealand Division was tasked that day with holding up the advance of the German troops towards Amiens, along the Ancre Valley. The New Zealand troops faced four counter attacks that day. Eric was initially buried at the corner of the Railway line and road in an isolated grave. After the war he was respectfully exhumed and re-buried in Martinsart British Cemetery, Somme plot I. H. 38. In New Zealand, Eric is remembered on the Hororata War Memorial.
First NameEric AndrewLast NameGrayFamilySingleSon of Andrew and Emily GrayDate of Birth20 October 1895Place of BirthHororataDate of Death27 March 1918Place of DeathFranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death22
Eric enlisted at Trentham on 4 April 1916 and was assigned to C Company, 15th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Battalion. He embarked on 26th July 1916, arriving in England and Sling Camp on 3 October. He left for France on 20 October, reaching Etaples the next day. Whilst at Etaples camp on 3 November 1916 he was deemed improperly dressed on parade and had to spend two days confined to barracks. He was sent to join the 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regiment in the field on 8 November. He was wounded on 7 June 1917 suffering a gunshot wound to his neck and right arm. He was sent to hospital at Boulogne on 8 June and then by hospital ship to England on 9 June where he was admitted to No.1 New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst. After ten weeks in hospital he was sent on to Codford on 25 August and then to Sling Camp on 21 November 1917. From there he was sent back to France on 12th December arriving in Etaples on 16 December.
After Christmas at Etaples he joined the 1st Battalion Canterbury Regiment in the field on 6 January 18 being detached to the Signals Corps on 26 January 1918. He re-joined the battalion on 3 February and was killed in action on 27 March 1918, aged 22. The New Zealand Division was tasked that day with holding up the advance of the German troops towards Amiens, along the Ancre Valley. The New Zealand troops faced four counter attacks that day. Eric was initially buried at the corner of the Railway line and road in an isolated grave. After the war he was respectfully exhumed and re-buried in Martinsart British Cemetery, Somme plot I. H. 38. In New Zealand, Eric is remembered on the Hororata War Memorial.
First NameEric AndrewLast NameGrayFamilySingleSon of Andrew and Emily GrayDate of Birth20 October 1895Place of BirthHororataDate of Death27 March 1918Place of DeathFranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death22
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageHororata War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryMartinsart British CemeteryHororata War Memorial Regiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry BattalionEnlistment Details4th April 1916 at TrenthamService Number15527Embarkation26th July 1916Reinforcement15th Reinforcements
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. Seaton
Private Eric Andrew Gray. Selwyn Stories, accessed 12/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/569