Flight Sergeant Leslie Ronald Gray Royal Air Force
The Man Leslie Ronald Gray was born on Friday10th April 1908 in Portsmouth, son of Joseph George a General Labourer and Shipbuilder and Caroline Eva nee Hebb. He was one of nine children, Arthur Alfred (1896–1975), Daisy Eva (1900–1914), Percy Edward (1906–1975), Sydney Joseph (1908–1982), Florence Edith (1897–1983), Elsie Violet May (1904–1995) and two other siblings who died very young. His religion was Church of England and the 1911 census shows the family living at 69 Simpson Road, Stamshaw, Portsmouth.
When he finished school aged 15, Leslie enlisted straight into the Royal Air Force on 21st January 1924 as a Boy entrant with service number 364809. He signed on for 12 years’ service from age 18 and described as 5’.¼” tall, with brown hair, brown eyes, a fresh complexion and a vaccination mark on his left arm.
Following enlistment, he was posted to RAF Halton, No 1 Section, No 1 School of Technical Training (Boys) as an Apprentice, followed by No 2 section on 4th February 1924 where he trained as Fitter (Aero Engines). Adult service commenced on 10th April 1926, his 18th Birthday and he was appointed Aircraftsman 2nd Class.
On 14th January 1927, he joined the School of Technical Training, still at Halton and on 20th August following training posted to No 1 Flying Training School as a Fitter; working on Napier, Rolls Royce Falcon, Armstrong Siddeley Lynx and Jaguar engines. Later working on the De Haviland Gypsy, Rolls Royce Condor and Armstrong Siddeley Panther engines.
On 1st January 1928 he was promoted to Aircraftsman 1st Class and Leading Aircraftsman on 1st April 1929. By 1930 he had grown to 5’.3 ½” tall with a 30” chest.
When he finished school aged 15, Leslie enlisted straight into the Royal Air Force on 21st January 1924 as a Boy entrant with service number 364809. He signed on for 12 years’ service from age 18 and described as 5’.¼” tall, with brown hair, brown eyes, a fresh complexion and a vaccination mark on his left arm.
Following enlistment, he was posted to RAF Halton, No 1 Section, No 1 School of Technical Training (Boys) as an Apprentice, followed by No 2 section on 4th February 1924 where he trained as Fitter (Aero Engines). Adult service commenced on 10th April 1926, his 18th Birthday and he was appointed Aircraftsman 2nd Class.
On 14th January 1927, he joined the School of Technical Training, still at Halton and on 20th August following training posted to No 1 Flying Training School as a Fitter; working on Napier, Rolls Royce Falcon, Armstrong Siddeley Lynx and Jaguar engines. Later working on the De Haviland Gypsy, Rolls Royce Condor and Armstrong Siddeley Panther engines.
On 1st January 1928 he was promoted to Aircraftsman 1st Class and Leading Aircraftsman on 1st April 1929. By 1930 he had grown to 5’.3 ½” tall with a 30” chest.
He was attached to 47 Squadron RAF and on 15th October 1931 posted to Khartoum, Egypt. In October 1927, 47 Sqn had moved completely to Khartoum and in December it discarded its aging DH.9As in favour of Fairey IIIFs, becoming the first Squadron to receive this aircraft. The squadron co-operated with the Sudan Defence Force, regularly carrying out border patrols, while a flight of IIIFs was fitted with floats, flying patrols over the River Nile and the Red Sea. It also continued to carry out long range flights, flying from Egypt to The Gambia in 1930, and carrying out four training flights to South Africa. The Squadron replaced its IIIFs with Fairey Gordons (effectively IIIFs powered by a radial engine) in January 1933, continuing its operations in support of the Sudan Defence Force and floatplane patrols over the Red Sea
Leslie had two periods in hospital during his posting, the fist on 28th June 1934 and later transferred to Cairo Hospital, he was discharged in September. The second on 11th March – 24th April 1935 in Alexandria with a chest infection, that he always jokingly put down to drinking from wet glasses. He was promoted to Corporal on 2nd December 1935 and during the posting saw service in Egypt, Sudan, Iraq, Palestine and Jordan. He returned to the UK in November 1936 at RAF Mildenhall.
On 16th January 1937 aged 28 Leslie married Marjorie Millicent Harris in St Jude’s Church, Plymouth, they had one son David Ronald, born on 15th March 1938 and lived 54 Grenville Road, Plymouth. In the same year, he completed his 12 years’ service and by now described as 5’ 10” tall with a 38” chest and auburn hair. He was transferred to the reserves on 10th April 1938 under Para 651 (1) King’s Regulations and he found work in the Devonport Dockyard as an Engine Fitter.
Leslie had two periods in hospital during his posting, the fist on 28th June 1934 and later transferred to Cairo Hospital, he was discharged in September. The second on 11th March – 24th April 1935 in Alexandria with a chest infection, that he always jokingly put down to drinking from wet glasses. He was promoted to Corporal on 2nd December 1935 and during the posting saw service in Egypt, Sudan, Iraq, Palestine and Jordan. He returned to the UK in November 1936 at RAF Mildenhall.
On 16th January 1937 aged 28 Leslie married Marjorie Millicent Harris in St Jude’s Church, Plymouth, they had one son David Ronald, born on 15th March 1938 and lived 54 Grenville Road, Plymouth. In the same year, he completed his 12 years’ service and by now described as 5’ 10” tall with a 38” chest and auburn hair. He was transferred to the reserves on 10th April 1938 under Para 651 (1) King’s Regulations and he found work in the Devonport Dockyard as an Engine Fitter.
In 1939, with the distinct likelihood of war on the horizon, Leslie was recalled to the RAF and mobilised on 25th August 1939. In the 1939 Register, Millicent and David are shown living at their home address of 54 Grenville Road, Plymouth. On 26th August he was posted to No 4 Air Stores Park at RAF St Athan, part of No 1 Supply and Transport Section, Advanced Air Striking Force. The ASP was formed at RAF St Athan in September 1939 and moved to France the same month. In 1940 it moved to RAF Halton and was disbanded in June 1940.
Following the start of World War II on 3rd September 1939 Leslie was posted to France on 9th with No 4 ASP and in the country during the Battle for France. Leslie’s son David recalled his father would often talk about service in Rheims and the Fairy Battle aircraft he worked on. One story he remembers being told by Leslie was that at an airfield in the Champagne region, there were a detachment of the Pioneer Corps (all volunteers from British prisons) who were digging trenches, they accidentally broke into the cellars of a local chateau, all taking full advantage of the situation!
Leslie was promoted to Temporary Sergeant on 1st May 1940 and was still in France on 10th May 1940, when the country fell. His son recalls Leslie was cut off between his unit and the channel coast at the time of Dunkirk. They were ordered to move south and at one point waved through by German Military Police who mistook the RAF blue lorries and uniforms for German Army units! He escaped the country, returning to the UK via a Mediterranean port such as Marseille or Toulouse, arriving on 29th June 1940 and posted to RAF Linton on Ouse, followed by RAF Holme on Spalding Moor, in Yorkshire.
He was promoted to Temporary Flight Sergeant on 15th November 1941 and worked on the Rolls Royce Kestrel and Merlin, and the Halifax, Bristol Hercules XVI engine. His records show he was entitled to wear the 1939-43 Star ribbon (later 1939-45 Star) for his service in France. He was also awarded his RAF Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 7th June 1943.
In 1945 he was mentioned in Despatches, for ‘organising the maintenance workshops’, this according to his son, included an invention of a device to attach radio aerials to rubber dinghies used for downed aircrew. This may refer to the Transmitter Type T-3180 or 'Walter' a British Air-Sea Rescue homing beacon. Before the invention, kites had to be used to raise the aerial into the air, an arduous task.
David, his son believes Leslie became Station Warrant Officer, but this does not appear on his service records and following the War he was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45. Leslie was discharged from the RAF after the end of the war and transferred to the G Class reserve, finally being fully discharged when he reached 45 in 1953. During his entire service he was awarded three good conduct badges on 10th April 1929, April 1934 and 25th August 1940. His service throughout was given as Very Good.
Leslie returned to his job at Devonport Dockyard becoming an Inspector of Engine Fitters. He retired in 1968 aged 60 and in the London Gazette of 21st June awarded the Imperial Service Medal by Her Majesty.
Leslie and Marjorie continued living at 54 Grenville Road, St Jude’s Plymouth and Marjorie died aged 78 during March 1989. Ronald lived a further six years passing away on 17th January 1996 aged 87 and interestingly requested his body be used for medical research purposes, if possible, otherwise cremation.
Following the start of World War II on 3rd September 1939 Leslie was posted to France on 9th with No 4 ASP and in the country during the Battle for France. Leslie’s son David recalled his father would often talk about service in Rheims and the Fairy Battle aircraft he worked on. One story he remembers being told by Leslie was that at an airfield in the Champagne region, there were a detachment of the Pioneer Corps (all volunteers from British prisons) who were digging trenches, they accidentally broke into the cellars of a local chateau, all taking full advantage of the situation!
Leslie was promoted to Temporary Sergeant on 1st May 1940 and was still in France on 10th May 1940, when the country fell. His son recalls Leslie was cut off between his unit and the channel coast at the time of Dunkirk. They were ordered to move south and at one point waved through by German Military Police who mistook the RAF blue lorries and uniforms for German Army units! He escaped the country, returning to the UK via a Mediterranean port such as Marseille or Toulouse, arriving on 29th June 1940 and posted to RAF Linton on Ouse, followed by RAF Holme on Spalding Moor, in Yorkshire.
He was promoted to Temporary Flight Sergeant on 15th November 1941 and worked on the Rolls Royce Kestrel and Merlin, and the Halifax, Bristol Hercules XVI engine. His records show he was entitled to wear the 1939-43 Star ribbon (later 1939-45 Star) for his service in France. He was also awarded his RAF Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 7th June 1943.
In 1945 he was mentioned in Despatches, for ‘organising the maintenance workshops’, this according to his son, included an invention of a device to attach radio aerials to rubber dinghies used for downed aircrew. This may refer to the Transmitter Type T-3180 or 'Walter' a British Air-Sea Rescue homing beacon. Before the invention, kites had to be used to raise the aerial into the air, an arduous task.
David, his son believes Leslie became Station Warrant Officer, but this does not appear on his service records and following the War he was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45. Leslie was discharged from the RAF after the end of the war and transferred to the G Class reserve, finally being fully discharged when he reached 45 in 1953. During his entire service he was awarded three good conduct badges on 10th April 1929, April 1934 and 25th August 1940. His service throughout was given as Very Good.
Leslie returned to his job at Devonport Dockyard becoming an Inspector of Engine Fitters. He retired in 1968 aged 60 and in the London Gazette of 21st June awarded the Imperial Service Medal by Her Majesty.
Leslie and Marjorie continued living at 54 Grenville Road, St Jude’s Plymouth and Marjorie died aged 78 during March 1989. Ronald lived a further six years passing away on 17th January 1996 aged 87 and interestingly requested his body be used for medical research purposes, if possible, otherwise cremation.
The Story The medal group awarded to Leslie Ronald Gray were acquired from Johnny Sparrow via Facebook on 16th August 2022. They were of immediate interest because of the Imperial Service and Royal Air Force Long Service Medal combination, the first in a sub-theme of this collection.
The group was of additional interest because of the research already completed, including a photograph of Leslie, RAF service records, ISM award Certificate and other items.
Using his service records, old correspondence from Leslie’s son, Ancestry.UK and The London Gazette a good biography was pieced together, particularly from his service days and it was interesting to see he had been a part of the Advance Air Striking Force in France in 1939-40 during the Battle of and fall of France.
The most difficult part of the research was locating his London Gazette entry for the Imperial Service Medal, usually the most straightforward part! After many computations of his full name, nothing was found, however it was eventually realised his surname had been misspelt as Grant, which then enabled the document to be downloaded.
A rather interesting group, especially considering the combination and award of the Mention in Despatches, the details of which have been embellished by his son.
A King’s Badge also came with the group, but there is no mention in his service records of any injury during World War II and he served right through the conflict. It is also of interest to note that his MiD was signed by Harold Macmillan, a future Prime Minister.
The group was of additional interest because of the research already completed, including a photograph of Leslie, RAF service records, ISM award Certificate and other items.
Using his service records, old correspondence from Leslie’s son, Ancestry.UK and The London Gazette a good biography was pieced together, particularly from his service days and it was interesting to see he had been a part of the Advance Air Striking Force in France in 1939-40 during the Battle of and fall of France.
The most difficult part of the research was locating his London Gazette entry for the Imperial Service Medal, usually the most straightforward part! After many computations of his full name, nothing was found, however it was eventually realised his surname had been misspelt as Grant, which then enabled the document to be downloaded.
A rather interesting group, especially considering the combination and award of the Mention in Despatches, the details of which have been embellished by his son.
A King’s Badge also came with the group, but there is no mention in his service records of any injury during World War II and he served right through the conflict. It is also of interest to note that his MiD was signed by Harold Macmillan, a future Prime Minister.
Joseph George and Caroline Eva Gray - Leslie's parents.
Medal Details:
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Imperial Service Medal: LESLIE RONALD GRAY
- RAF Long Service and Good Conduct Medal: 364809 F/SGT. L.R.GRAY. R.A.F
This page last updated 24 Nov 22
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