Gray, Lewis (Private, b.1913 - d.1941)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of WX421 Private Lewis Gray, 2/11 Australian Infantry Battalion, Second Australian Imperial Force, Middle East, 1940-1941.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of five letters from Private Lewis Gray to his friends, “Pom and Olave” [Norman and Olave Snashall]. In his letters, Private Gray writes about embarkation, leave in Colombo, training in Palestine, leave in Jerusalem, receiving mail, sightseeing in Egypt, celebrating Melbourne Cup Day, being in hospital in Palestine, attending an elegant private party, travelling with 2/11 Australian Infantry Battalion to their position in the desert of North Africa, seeing many kinds of destroyed buildings and vehicles, digging trenches for protection against shells, fighting on the front line, taking charge of a group of prisoners of war, being in the middle of an air raid without shelter, drinking captured alcohol, serving at Tobruk, being caught in cross-fire, advancing further into Libya, having hearing difficulties due to the loud noises of battle, seeing aerial dogfights, gathering souvenirs, and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea. Private Gray also describes the places he visits in great detail.

Lewis Gray enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 7 November 1939. He served in Palestine, Egypt and Libya with 2/11 Australian Infantry Battalion as a Private, and was in the front line of fighting at both Bardia and Tobruk. Gray was later promoted to Lance Corporal and transferred to 19 Training Battalion (Infantry) attached to the vessel HMT Slamat. On 27 April 1941, while the Allied forces were evacuating Greece, Lewis Gray was killed in action off the coast of Leonidio, Greece. He is commemorated at Athens Memorial, Greece.