Robert Gray Biography | World War II Pilot

Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray

Born: November 2, 1917
Died: August 9, 1945
Place of Birth: Trail, British Columbia

Major Notes:

Robert "Hammy" Gray was the last Canadian to receive the Victoria Cross in World War II.
He came from a middle class family and graduated from Nelson High School in 1936.
Wanting to be a doctor, Robert Gray did studies at the University of Alberta and the University of British Columbia.
Gray was active in student affairs; in particular, working on the UBC Editorial Board.
His studies were interrupted by World War II events in the summer of 1940.
He eventually signed up with the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm for training as a pilot.
Gray was not happy with his assignment as a pilot in Africa land shore work and wanted to serve in combat.
In 1944, he was made a Senior Pilot on a British aircraft carrier whose planes were used to interfere with Japanese shipping.
Robert Gray was a brave squadron leader leading several attacks on Japanese ships.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in July, 1945, after helping bomb a Japanese destroyer.
On August 9th, the same day United States was dropping an atomic bomb, Gray led an attack on a ship through fire from shore and Japanese warships.
He realized he had to fly very low in order to strike his target, only in doing so, his plane was hit by flak and set on fire.
Nevertheless, Gray continued and was able to bomb the targeted destroyer but his injured plane dropped into the sea.
This action gave him a recommendation for his Victoria Cross award.
Robert "Hammy" Gray was also honoured by Japan itself, in recognition of his actions, with a special memorial to a foreign combatant.

For detailed research and more information, check out the following:

Mysteries of Canada Wikipedia Legion Magazine Naval & Military Museum B.C. Aviation Veterans Affairs Canada Please report any broken or incorrect links above to:
deejay@rogers.com

Web	www.canada-heros.com

BACK HOME PAGE

Robert "Hammy" Gray was the last Canadian to receive the Victoria Cross in World War II.

He came from a middle class family and graduated from Nelson High School in 1936.

Wanting to be a doctor, Robert Gray did studies at the University of Alberta and the University of British Columbia.

Gray was active in student affairs; in particular, working on the UBC Editorial Board.

His studies were interrupted by World War II events in the summer of 1940.

He eventually signed up with the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm for training as a pilot.

Gray was not happy with his assignment as a pilot in Africa land shore work and wanted to serve in combat.

In 1944, he was made a Senior Pilot on a British aircraft carrier whose planes were used to interfere with Japanese shipping.

Robert Gray was a brave squadron leader leading several attacks on Japanese ships.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in July, 1945, after helping bomb a Japanese destroyer.

On August 9th, the same day United States was dropping an atomic bomb, Gray led an attack on a ship through fire from shore and Japanese warships.

He realized he had to fly very low in order to strike his target, only in doing so, his plane was hit by flak and set on fire.

Nevertheless, Gray continued and was able to bomb the targeted destroyer but his injured plane dropped into the sea.

This action gave him a recommendation for his Victoria Cross award.

Robert "Hammy" Gray was also honoured by Japan itself, in recognition of his actions, with a special memorial to a foreign combatant.