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Name
Bertie Howard Wray, son of Edward James and Ellen Jane Wray. Born 1886, Newport. Commemorated on these Memorials : Isle of Wight Rifles memorial, Chapel of St Nicholas, Carisbrooke Castle Isle of Wight Rifles memorial, Drill Hall, Newport Newport War Memorial St John's Church, Newport St John's Church, Newport, Men's Bible Class War Memorial Congregational Church, Newport Literary Society Memorial, Quay Street, Newport Newport Grammar School Book of Remembrance Newport Conservative Club Roll of Honour Newport Rowing Club memorial. Biography Rifleman 1988 Bertie Howard Wray, 1/8th Hampshire Regiment (Isle of Wight Rifles) CWGC record ... Further information Bertie Howard WRAY was baptised at St Mary's Church, Carisbrooke on 19th September 1886, the son of Edward James WRAY and his wife Ellen Jane (née KING) of 110 Carisbrooke Road, Newport. Edward James was a baker and grocer, a member of the well-known WRAY family who at one time had shops in several towns on the Island. On the 1901 census the WRAY family were still living at 110 Carisbrooke Road. Bertie Howard's death was reported in the Isle of Wight County Press where he was described as the first casualty of the Isle of Wight Rifles.
ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY PRESS
Saturday, August 21, 1915 Page 8, column 4 ISLE OF WIGHT RIFLES IN ACTION NEWPORT MAN THE FIRST CASUALTY The first intimation received in the Island that the Imperial Service Battalion of the I.W. Rifles may have been in the fighting line at the Dardanelles came on Wednesday evening in the melancholy form of an official announcement from the War Office to Mr. E.J. WRAY, of High-street, Newport, stating that his second son, Rfn. B.H. WRAY, had died on August 13th "from the effect of wounds". The news came as a great surprise to Islanders generally as it was thought that they would barely arrive by that date, but it has since come to light that they were conveyed to the Near East on a very fast liner, which completed the voyage in 6½ days. Very profound, sincere, and general sympathy is felt with Mr. and Mrs. WRAY and the members of their family in their heavy bereavement. Rfn. B.H. WRAY, or "Bertie" as he was more popularly known amongst his many friends, was held in the highest esteem as a good sportsman and an all-round fine fellow. By his death the Newport Rowing Club loses one of the most capable oarsmen and keenest members. He has stroked many crews to victory on the Medina, installing those behind him with that grim determination to do the utmost, which was so characteristic of his nature, and which very probably led him into the forefront of the fight in which he nobly died doing his duty to King and country. He was also a very popular member of the Literary Society and the Conservative Club, and had figured in the Literary Society's billiard team on many occasions, always playing a sound game. He had been in the I.W. Rifles for over four years. He resigned just before the war, but soon after the commencement of hostilities he was one of the many members of the Newport Rowing Club who responded to the appeal made by their popular captain (Sergt-Major Walter PERKIS) to fill up the ranks of the regiment. He celebrated his 29th birthday the day after leaving England. He was an old Grammar School boy, and during his school days showed much promise as a cricketer, although he had since forsaken the "pitch" for the river. Since the receipt of the sad news the flag of the Rowing Club Boat-house has been flying at half-mast. Thanks to Janet Griffin for research. |
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Memorials & Monuments
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