Robert Hampton Gray

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Robert Hampton Gray
November 2, 1917 - August 9, 1945
Bust of Hampton Gray at the Valiants Memorial in Ottawa
Nickname Hammy
Place of birth Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
Place of death Onagawa Wan, Honshū, Japan
Allegiance Canada
Service/branch Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve
Years of service 1940 - 1945
Rank Lieutenant
Unit 1841 Squadron, HMS Formidable
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Victoria Cross
Distinguished Service Cross
Mention in Despatches (twice)

Robert Hampton "Hammy" Gray VC, DSC (November 2, 1917 - August 9, 1945) was a Canadian naval officer, pilot, and recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC) during World War II, one of only two members of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm to have been thus decorated in that war.

Gray was born in Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. In 1940, following education at the University of Alberta and University of British Columbia, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve. Sent to England for training, he qualified as a pilot for the British Fleet Air Arm in September, 1941.

Gray was first assigned to the African theatre, flying Hawker Hurricanes for shore-based squadrons. After two years in Africa, he trained to fly the Corsair fighter and in 1944 he was assigned to 1841 Squadron, based on HMS Formidable. In August 1944, he took part in a series of unsuccessful raids against the German battleship Tirpitz, in Norway. On August 29, 1944, he was Mentioned in Despatches for his participation in an attack on three destroyers, during which his plane's rudder was shot off. On January 16, 1945 he received a further Mention, "For undaunted courage, skill and determination in carrying out daring attacks on the German battleship Tirpitz."

In April 1945, HMS Formidable joined the British Pacific Fleet. By July 1945, the carrier was involved in strikes on the Japanese mainland. Gray earned a Distinguished Service Cross for aiding in sinking a Japanese destroyer in the area of Tokyo. The award was not announced until August 21, 1945, when the notice appeared in the London Gazette with the citation, "For determination and address in air attacks on targets in Japan".[1]

On August 9, 1945 at Onagawa Bay, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, Lieutenant Gray led an attack on a Japanese destroyer. The citation for his VC, gazetted on November 13, 1945 describes what happened:

ADMIRALTY Whitehall, 13th November, 1945.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS for valour to: —

the late Temporary Lieutenant Robert Hampton GRAY, R.C.N.V.R.,

for great valour in leading an attack on a Japanese destroyer in Onagawa Wan, on 9th August, 1945. In the face of fire from shore batteries and a heavy concentration of fire from some five warships Lieutenant Gray pressed home his attack, flying very low in order to ensure success, and, although he was hit and his aircraft was in flames, he obtained at least one direct hit, sinking the destroyer. Lieutenant Gray has consistently shown a brilliant fighting spirit and most inspiring leadership.[2]

Gray was one of the last Canadians to die during World War II, and was the last Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross. His VC is displayed at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

As Gray's remains were never found, he was listed as missing in action and presumed dead. He is commemorated, with other Canadians who died or were buried at sea during the First and Second World Wars, at the Halifax Memorial in Point Pleasant Park, Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Royal Canadian Legion hall in Nelson, British Columbia and the wardroom of HMCS Tecumseh, his RCNVR home unit, also bear plaques in his honour.

A memorial service honoring Gray's act of bravery was held in 2006 and a memorial erected at Onagawa Bay, just metres away from where his plane crashed.[3] This is the only memorial dedicated to a foreign soldier on Japanese soil.

Gray is one of fourteen figures commemorated at the Valiants Memorial in Ottawa.

A cousin of Gray, filmmaker Ian Herring, in 2005 made a fictionalized film about him, The Last Battle of Hampton Gray.

[edit] References

  1. ^ London Gazette: no. 37232, p. 4221, 1945-08-17. Retrieved on 2009-10-15.
  2. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 37346, p. 5529, 1945-11-13. Retrieved on 2009-10-15.
  3. ^ http://www.richthistle.com/aviation-articles-othermenu-133/49-robert-hampton-hammy-gray-vc-dsc-ww2-corsair

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hampton_Gray"