The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. K W Gray

Kenneth William Gray was born on 16th May 1921 in Newcastle under Lyme, the son of William Reginald Gray (1897-1974) and Nellie Gray (nee Bailey 1899-1975). His father had served as a fitter in the RNAS.

KW Gray joined the RAFVR about July 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his flying training and went to 5 OTU Aston Down to convert to Hurricanes, probably arriving there in late August 1940.

On 13th September Gray crashed at Aston Down in Hurricane L1958. He was unhurt and went on to join 85 Squadron on the 16th.

Church Fenton September 1940 - S/Ldr. Peter Townsend visits after release from hospital with an injured foot. Gray second from right.

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Commissioned in June 1942, he was killed on 9th June 1944, aged 23 and serving as a Flying Officer with 25 Squadron.

Mosquito NF.Mk.XVII HK354 from Coltishall was on a a Ranger sortie to Soesterberg but failed to return and is thought to have come down in the sea. Gray was the observer on this sortie, the pilot F/O DA Harwood was also lost.

He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, panel 206.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.