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Cenotaph record

Frederick Oliver Gray

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Oliver in Army uniform, date unknown (between 1916 and 1919).

Oliver during First World War

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Identity

About

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Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    Peter Dennis, UNSW Canberra
    Wellington, New Zealand AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    Pre 23 May 1916 AWMM Grasmere, North Bruny Island, Tasmania AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    F S Gray, Grasmere, North Bruny Island, Tasmania AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Pre 23 May 1916 AWMM Single AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
    World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM
  • Campaign
    1914-1919 Western Front AWMM
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    WWI 14820 AWMM
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Médaille militaire (France) AWMM
      Legion D'Honneur : Medaille Militaire (France) - 'At LAGNICOURT, FRANCE, on the 15th April 1917, Pte. GRAY during the attack by the enemy worked with exceptional courage and devotion attending wounded men under heavy artillery and machine gun fire. On several occasions Pt.e GRAY was seen by the Officer in charge of Companies who launced the counter attack, to move out under extremely heavy fire in view of the enemy and give first aid to our wounded, also carrying them back to a covered position. His conduct throughout this action is deserving of the highest praise and his quick and valuable services undoubtedly saved many lives.' - 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189- 11/10/1917 AWMM
    • British War Medal (1914-1920) AWMM
    • Victory Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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Embarkations

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Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes

Last known rank

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  • Last rank

Biographical information

Biographical information

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    • Attempted to evade service due to religious belief. AWMM
    • Born Colyton, New Zealand, 1895 and died 26th April 1994 at Franklin, Tasmania. As with other family members, he was a Quaker.

      Known to family and friends as 'Oliver', he lived at Kilora on North Bruny Island (Tasmania) with his family until he enlisted with his brother, Tom, on 23rd May, 1916. His older brother (Oberlin) had enlisted earlier and served in Galipoli as a stretcher bearer. Oberlin, contray to regulations kept extensive diaries of his wartime service and mentioned meeting Simpson and his donkey some weeks before Simpson was killed on the Galipoli Peninsular.

      Oliver served with Oberlin in the Australian 3rd Field Ambulance Corp on the Western Front from January 1917 until the end of the war. Oliver was with Oberlin when he received a serious head wound from shrapnel in August 1918. Oberlin died from his wounds and was buried in Daours, near the Somme River.

      Oliver returned to Bruny Island after the war where he married Gladys Pybus and had three daughters.

      Oliver continued farming with his brother, Arthur, and worked as a council member, Warden, Coroner and Justice of the Peace. In 1978 and 1985 he wrote two books on the early history of Bruny Island. Public - Andrew James - Direct descendant - 6 April 2018 - Personal military files (National War Memorial - Canberra)
      Online biography
      Family recollections (daughter - Mary and granddaughter - Ann)
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Death

About death

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  • Death
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

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Leave a note

Leave a tribute or memory of Frederick Oliver Gray

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  • Dear Oliver.

    Your family remain deeply proud of your contribution not only to the First World War, but your dedication to your family and friends throughout the remainder of your long and selfless life. You were humble in your achievements and we miss your stories and gentle laugh.

    Yours sincerely. Andy
    Public - Andrew James - Direct descendant - 6 April 2018
    Report 

Sources

Sources

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  • External links
  • References
    AIF Peter Dennis, UNSW Canberra AWMM

Contributors

Command item
Command item
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DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
28 April 2023AndrewHobart, Tasmania, Australia Direct descendant
06 April 2018Andrew JamesHobart, TasmaniaDirect descendant

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