The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. M Gray

Malcolm Gray was born on 7th January 1920, the son of George William and Emily Gray of Heworth, York.

He joined the RAFVR about July 1938 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

He may have carried out six months of continuous training with the regular RAF, as an eligible RAFVR Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on 1st September 1939, Gray was apparently fully trained and he joined 72 Squadron at Church Fenton on 12th September.

On 29th June 1940 Gray shared in the destruction of a Do17 100 miles east of the Isle of May in the outer Firth of Forth.

On 1st and 2nd September he claimed probable Do17s.

He was shot down and killed in Spitfire N3093 on 5th September 1940, the aircraft came down in flames in Elham Park Wood. Two brothers attempted to get through the flames to save him.

His colleague P/O RD Elliott recorded 'Sergeant ‘Mabel’ Gray was seen to catch a terrific packet from a Me110, apparently being killed instantly, his aircraft dived vertically into the deck'.

Gray was 20 and is buried in Fulford Cemetery, North Yorkshire.