Corporal Alexander GRAY 26741, parents and sister
Corporal Alexander GRAY 26741
Rifle Brigade
NZ Expeditionary Forces
Died 22 March 1918
Aged 47
Block 0 Plot 1360
Died of wounds
Born: Scotland
Occupation before enlisting: Schoolteacher
Next of Kin: Mrs A GRAY [wife], Oinako, Akaroa, New Zealand*
His Cenotaph record:
muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/5824.detail?Or...
Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16169, 25 March 1918, Page 8
“The remains of Sergeant Alexander Gray, a New Zealand soldier, who returned to his native land on Tuesday last and died in the Christchurch Hospital on Friday, were laid to rest in the Addington Cemetery yesterday. The funeral, which was a military one, was attended by a large number of the friends and relatives of the deceased, who was widely known and very popular. Owing to the absence of all the E Battery gun-carriages at tho Territorial camp at Burnham, it was found necessary to use a motor-hearse to carry the body to the cemetery. The coffin was laid on trestles in one of the regimental rooms in King Edward Barracks, covered with tho Union Jack and with beautiful wreaths which had been sent in as a last tribute of respect. Wreaths were sent by the following: The North Canterbury Educational Institute; the Brethren of 'he Phoenix Lodge, Akaroa; the New Brighton Red Cross workers; past and present pupils of the Akaroa District High School; the Citizens' Defence Corps; Mr and Sirs H. A. Le Lievre and family; Mr C. H. Winny and family; Mr and Mrs P. Watson; Mr and Mrs J. H. Williams; Mr and Mrs A. Brabner; Mr and Mrs J. E. Ferguson; "Sylvia and Bill"; and Dr. D. Dewar, of Akaroa, an old Maori war veteran. Among those who were present at the funeral were a large number of the late soldier's returned comrades, who acted as pall-bearers and provided the firing party, the party, being in charge of Staff-Sergeant-Major O'Sullivan. The band of the Ist Mounted Rifles (C.Y.C.), under Lieutenant Thorn, played the cortege to the graveside, where tho Rev J.R. Hayward, minister at the Presbyterian Church at Akaroa, conducted the burial service. The chief mourners were relatives of the deceased and his wife. The teaching profession was very largely represented at the funeral, the following being present: Mr L. B. Wood (Canterbury College Board of Governors), Mr S. C. Owen, Inspector, Messrs F. T. Evans and D. Shirlaw (Linwood), F. D. Waller. B. Gamble (West Christchurch). J. J. Adams (Waltham), T. S. Foster, J. Wyn Irwin, S. J. Irwin, J. Mottram (Normal), J. W. McGregor, H. F. Penlington, J. Bowden (Richmond), W. West, S. Baird, and W. Kennedy (Woolston) H. English (Riccarton), F. Hunnibell (Spreydon), C. Burke (Papanui). AV. Colee (Opawa, B. Penlington (East Christchurch), T. Irvine (Fendalton), D. Arnott (St. Albans), C. Hall and W. Garton (Akaroa), and Kennedy (Addington;. Mr H. C. Lane, secretary of the Canterbury Education Board, was also present.
Before proceeding to the business of the annual meeting of the North Canterbury branch of the N.Z.E.L on Saturday, tho president, Mr E. U. Just, expressed his sorrow at the death of Sergeant Alexander Gray, which had occurred a few days after his return from the front. Mr Gray he said, was widely known as a fine teacher and as an estimable citizen. A vote of condolence with Mrs Gray was passed, the meeting standing.” [1]
Alexander GRAY married Olive Louisa LE LIEVRE registration 1916/3949. She was born 1887.
It appears that after Alexander’s death, Louisa remarried in 1923 to James Neil CLARKE.
Alexander’s military records are available but with restrictions:
archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=16788207
Alexander’s probate is available:
archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=22393909
Also buried in the same plot:
In loving memory of
George GRAY
Who died 23rd September 1894
Aged 52 years
Also
Janet Rae McCallum GRAY
Beloved wife of
George GRAY
Who died 10th December 1912
Aged 75 years
In loving memory of
Alexander GRAY
Beloved husband of
Olive GRAY
Who died of wounds
Received in France
22nd March 1918
Aged 47 years
In loving memory of
Janet Rae GRAY
Who died 9th September 1885
Aged 7 years
[lettering on foot of cemetery plot states she was 8 years]
There is an Oinako Lodge which in 2012 is a bed and breakfast and was formerly owned by Etienne Xavier and Louisa Helen LE LIEVRE , parents of Olive. This makes Olive the granddaughter of Francois Le Lievre and his wife Justine Rose (nee) de Malmanche who were original settlers in Akaroa and who arrived onboard the Comte de Paris in August 1840.
REFERENCES:
[1]
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=s...
Christchurch City Council database
Corporal Alexander GRAY 26741, parents and sister
Corporal Alexander GRAY 26741
Rifle Brigade
NZ Expeditionary Forces
Died 22 March 1918
Aged 47
Block 0 Plot 1360
Died of wounds
Born: Scotland
Occupation before enlisting: Schoolteacher
Next of Kin: Mrs A GRAY [wife], Oinako, Akaroa, New Zealand*
His Cenotaph record:
muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/5824.detail?Or...
Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16169, 25 March 1918, Page 8
“The remains of Sergeant Alexander Gray, a New Zealand soldier, who returned to his native land on Tuesday last and died in the Christchurch Hospital on Friday, were laid to rest in the Addington Cemetery yesterday. The funeral, which was a military one, was attended by a large number of the friends and relatives of the deceased, who was widely known and very popular. Owing to the absence of all the E Battery gun-carriages at tho Territorial camp at Burnham, it was found necessary to use a motor-hearse to carry the body to the cemetery. The coffin was laid on trestles in one of the regimental rooms in King Edward Barracks, covered with tho Union Jack and with beautiful wreaths which had been sent in as a last tribute of respect. Wreaths were sent by the following: The North Canterbury Educational Institute; the Brethren of 'he Phoenix Lodge, Akaroa; the New Brighton Red Cross workers; past and present pupils of the Akaroa District High School; the Citizens' Defence Corps; Mr and Sirs H. A. Le Lievre and family; Mr C. H. Winny and family; Mr and Mrs P. Watson; Mr and Mrs J. H. Williams; Mr and Mrs A. Brabner; Mr and Mrs J. E. Ferguson; "Sylvia and Bill"; and Dr. D. Dewar, of Akaroa, an old Maori war veteran. Among those who were present at the funeral were a large number of the late soldier's returned comrades, who acted as pall-bearers and provided the firing party, the party, being in charge of Staff-Sergeant-Major O'Sullivan. The band of the Ist Mounted Rifles (C.Y.C.), under Lieutenant Thorn, played the cortege to the graveside, where tho Rev J.R. Hayward, minister at the Presbyterian Church at Akaroa, conducted the burial service. The chief mourners were relatives of the deceased and his wife. The teaching profession was very largely represented at the funeral, the following being present: Mr L. B. Wood (Canterbury College Board of Governors), Mr S. C. Owen, Inspector, Messrs F. T. Evans and D. Shirlaw (Linwood), F. D. Waller. B. Gamble (West Christchurch). J. J. Adams (Waltham), T. S. Foster, J. Wyn Irwin, S. J. Irwin, J. Mottram (Normal), J. W. McGregor, H. F. Penlington, J. Bowden (Richmond), W. West, S. Baird, and W. Kennedy (Woolston) H. English (Riccarton), F. Hunnibell (Spreydon), C. Burke (Papanui). AV. Colee (Opawa, B. Penlington (East Christchurch), T. Irvine (Fendalton), D. Arnott (St. Albans), C. Hall and W. Garton (Akaroa), and Kennedy (Addington;. Mr H. C. Lane, secretary of the Canterbury Education Board, was also present.
Before proceeding to the business of the annual meeting of the North Canterbury branch of the N.Z.E.L on Saturday, tho president, Mr E. U. Just, expressed his sorrow at the death of Sergeant Alexander Gray, which had occurred a few days after his return from the front. Mr Gray he said, was widely known as a fine teacher and as an estimable citizen. A vote of condolence with Mrs Gray was passed, the meeting standing.” [1]
Alexander GRAY married Olive Louisa LE LIEVRE registration 1916/3949. She was born 1887.
It appears that after Alexander’s death, Louisa remarried in 1923 to James Neil CLARKE.
Alexander’s military records are available but with restrictions:
archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=16788207
Alexander’s probate is available:
archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=22393909
Also buried in the same plot:
In loving memory of
George GRAY
Who died 23rd September 1894
Aged 52 years
Also
Janet Rae McCallum GRAY
Beloved wife of
George GRAY
Who died 10th December 1912
Aged 75 years
In loving memory of
Alexander GRAY
Beloved husband of
Olive GRAY
Who died of wounds
Received in France
22nd March 1918
Aged 47 years
In loving memory of
Janet Rae GRAY
Who died 9th September 1885
Aged 7 years
[lettering on foot of cemetery plot states she was 8 years]
There is an Oinako Lodge which in 2012 is a bed and breakfast and was formerly owned by Etienne Xavier and Louisa Helen LE LIEVRE , parents of Olive. This makes Olive the granddaughter of Francois Le Lievre and his wife Justine Rose (nee) de Malmanche who were original settlers in Akaroa and who arrived onboard the Comte de Paris in August 1840.
REFERENCES:
[1]
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=s...
Christchurch City Council database