The AIF Project

Mervyn William GRAY

Regimental number264
Place of birthPerth, Western Australia
SchoolPerth Boys' School, Western Australia
ReligionCongregational
OccupationStonemason
Address67 Outram Street, West Perth, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Height5' 6.5"
Weight129 lbs
Next of kinFather, W Gray, 67 Outram Street, West Perth, Western Australia
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date10 September 1914
Place of enlistmentBlackboy Hill, Western Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name16th Battalion, D Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/33/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on 22 December 1914
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll16th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 2 May 1915
Place of death or woundingGallipoli, Turkey
Date of death2 May 1915
Age at death21
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsThe Lone Pine Memorial (Panel 53), Gallipoli, Turkey

The Lone Pine Memorial, situated in the Lone Pine Cemetery at Anzac, is the main Australian Memorial on Gallipoli, and one of four memorials to men of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Designed by Sir John Burnet, the principal architect of the Gallipoli cemeteries, it is a thick tapering pylon 14.3 metres high on a square base 12.98 metres wide. It is constructed from limestone mined at Ilgardere in Turkey.

The Memorial commemorates the 3268 Australians and 456 New Zealanders who have no known grave and the 960 Australians and 252 New Zealanders who were buried at sea after evacuation through wounds or disease. The names of New Zealanders commemorated are inscribed on stone panels mounted on the south and north sides of the pylon, while those of the Australians are listed on a long wall of panels in front of the pylon and to either side. Names are arranged by unit and rank.

The Memorial stands over the centre of the Turkish trenches and tunnels which were the scene of heavy fighting during the August offensive. Most cemeteries on Gallipoli contain relatively few marked graves, and the majority of Australians killed on Gallipoli are commemorated here.

Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Commemorated in Trinity Uniting (formerly Congregational) Church, Perth, Western Australia. Memorial consists of two arched stained glass windows (inscription left: 'I will not fail thee nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage'; inscription right: 'I have fought the good fight. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.' Centred beneath the windows is a small brass plaque: 'World's War. Commenced 4th August 1914. Armistice signed 11th November 1918. Peace signed 28th June 1919. In the cause of truth combined for the freedom of mankind.' Beneath the windows and flanking the plaque left and right are two larger brass plaques bearing the names of members of the parish who served in the war. Those who died are marked with an asterisk and the words 'These died for us'. Parents: William and Mary GRAY. Native of Perth, Western Australia
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 12 April 1915.

Reported missing, Gallipoli, 2 May 1915.

Court of Enquiry held at Serapeum, 6 April 1915, pronounced fate as 'killed in action, Gallipoli, 2 May 1915'.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, GRAY Mervyn William

Print format    


© The AIF Project 2024, UNSW Canberra. Not to be reproduced without permission.