Gray, Robert Hampton (Lieutenant (A))

1841 Naval Air Squadron Fleet Air Arm, HMS Formidable

Lt (A) Gray was awarded the VC when he flew his Corsair IV aircraft KD 658 115-X into a hail of cannon and machine gun fire during an attack on the Japanese destroyer escort Amakusa anchored in Onagawa Bay. The aircraft was hit, appeared to catch fire and one of the two 500 lb. bombs was shot off, Lt (A) Gray righted the aircraft and pressed on with his attack. At an altitude of 50 feet he released his remaining bomb which resulted in the sinking of the Amakusa, as he was weaving out of the area his aircraft was hit again, flicked over and dove into the ocean, there was no time for him to bail out

Lt (A) Gray served with the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve and was Mentioned in Dispatches for his attack in a Barracuda aircraft against the German battleship Turpitz, he also earned the D.S.C. for his part, "Determination and address in air attacks on targets in Japan, in July, 1945"

In November of 1945, Hammy Gray was officially awarded the British Commonwealth's highest honour for valour, the Victoria Cross. The Citation reads: The King has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Victoria Cross to the late Temporary Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray, RCNVR, for great valour in leading an attack on a Japanese destroyer in Onagawa Bay on the 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 in flames, he obtained one direct hit, sinking the destroyer. Lieutenant Gray has consistently shown a brilliant flying spirit and most inspiring leadership."

Lt Gray was BROTHER to FS John Balfour Gray (RCAF), air gunner with 144 Sqn RAF, killed in action 1942-02-27 when Hampden L 4178 crashed in England returning from a mine laying operation

source: They Shall Grow Not Old, BCATP Museum, Brandon MB

Early life:

Gray was born in Trail, British Columbia, Canada, but resided from an early age in Nelson, where his father was a jeweller. In 1940, following education at the University of Alberta and University of British Columbia, where he completed his Bachelor of Arts and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) at HMCS Tecumseh in Calgary, Alberta. Originally sent to England for training, Gray was sent back to Canada to train at RCAF Station Kingston.

War service:

Gray initially joined 757 Naval Air Squadron at Winchester, England. He was then assigned to the African theatre, flying Hawker Hurricanes for shore-based squadrons, nos. 795, 803, and 877, where he spent two years at Nairobi.

Gray was one of the last Canadians to die during World War II, and was the second to last Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross, the last being that of Pilot Officer Andrew Mynarski, awarded a year later in relation to an incident that occurred before Gray's. His VC is owned by the Gray family.

Legacy:

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 War Memorial Gym at University of British Columbia, Royal Canadian Legion hall in Nelson, numerous other sites in Nelson, and the wardroom of HMCS Tecumseh (his RCNVR home unit) also bear plaques in his honour.

A memorial for Gray was erected at Onagawa Bay in 1989 in Sakiyama Park. This is the only memorial dedicated to a foreign soldier on Japanese soil. Following the devastation of the March 11, 2011 earthquake (during which the granite monument itself was knocked over), the monument (with new plaque) was moved from its original location in Sakiyama Park to one beside the hospital (Onagawacho Community Medicine Center) in Onagawa Town. A rededication ceremony was held August 24, 2012. Gray is one of fourteen figures commemorated at the Valiants Memorial in Ottawa.

To celebrate the Centennial of the Canadian Navy, during the 2010 air show season, Vintage Wings of Canada flew at events across Canada in a Corsair bearing the markings of the plane Gray was likely flying that fateful day

His life is recorded in A Formidable Hero: Lt. R.H. Gray, VC, DSC, RCNVR by Stuart E. Soward, published by Trafford Neptune.

On March 12, 1946, the Geographic Board of Canada named a mountain in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, British Columbia, after Gray and his brother, Flt Sergeant John Balfour Gray, RCAF, who was also killed in World War II. Rising to a height of 2,753 m (9,032 ft), Grays Peak is well known in Canada as the mountain pictured on the label of Kokanee Beer.

Hampton Gray Memorial Elementary: The elementary school at CFB Shearwater is named after Gray.

Kingston Norman Rogers Airport: Gray completed his training at No. 31 Service Flying Training School in Kingston, Ontario. There is a Harvard aircraft, same type of trainer he flew at Kingston, mounted on a pedestal with a memorial dedicated to him. Additionally, the road leading to the airport terminal has been named Hampton Gray Gate.

Royal Canadian Sea Cadets: The Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps in Nelson, BC is named 81 Hampton Gray, VC Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps.

Royal Canadian Air Cadets: In 2012, the Royal Canadian Air Cadets created a new squadron in his honour called 789 Lt. R. Hampton Gray VC Squadron which is located in Mississauga, Ontario.

Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessel: The sixth Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessel for the Royal Canadian Navy will be named for Gray

source: British & Commonwealth Forces,Stan Barclay)