John Dray 1860 – 1916 (Son of James Edward Dray and Elizabeth Cloake) and his wife Louisa Dray Nee Mills.
John and Louisa Dray had 3 sons in the war; John 1885 – 1965, Charles 1886 – 1954 and Alfred 1892 – 1914.
Private Alfred Horace Dray was 22 years old and was born and raised in Saltwood. He worked as a Gardner when he enlisted at Lichfield, Staffordshire. He had been in the 2nd Bge RFA but had a free discharge, Private 11842 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry.
Alfred had been in France from 8th September 1914 till November 1914 where a Telegraph states he died on the Ambulance Ship “Asturias” on the 5th. A letter dated 7th January 1914(but believed to be 1915) was written by Alfred’s father requesting to have his son’s Christmas gift from H.R.M Princess Mary. Alfred is buried at Netley Military Cemetery, Hampshire. Grave Ref: C.E. 1630.
Alfred’s service records also have wealth of family information in them and mentioned were details about his brothers:
• John Dray, born in Saltwood, 1885-1965, stationed at the Gun Station in Folkestone.
• Charles Thomas Dray, born Saltwood 1886-1954, was in the British Army in Germany.
Image and text courtesy of Pam Dray