John Parnwell Gray, born in 1898, was the younger son of Charles Gray, an Iron Merchant , who had a very successful business in town. He was Mayor in 1900 and he would lose both of his sons in the war.

In 1911 the family were living at 1 St Mary’s Hill,  Charles Shortland Gray , the eldest son was assisting in the business. His sister Ena Mary and John were still at school. Both the boys went to Stamford School and then Oundle School. John’s mother Annie had died in 1906.

John Parnwell Gray

John attended Oundle School from 1911 to 1915 and then went to the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich. His brother Charles was killed on October 13th 1915.

He joined the Royal Horse and Field Artillery and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in January 1918.

He served with the Expeditionary Force from January 1918 to May 1918. He was wounded and was sent back to York Hill Military Hospital, Glasgow where he died on September 13th 1918.

His body was brought back to Stamford and his grave is in Stamford Cemetery.

Charles Gray Iron Works, Stamford