Thomas Gray, Aghadowey

[Ben McCloskey Robinson]

Wondering where I would look for records in Burma during WW2. I’ve had a look through my usual sources but can’t find anything.

I am looking on behalf of my mother’s cousin, she told me her father had a half-brother called Thomas Gray, who died in Burma during the war. She was looking for any available information, however I’m at a loss.

As it is only my family by marriage I’m not sure much about him. All I know is that Thomas Gray died in Burma during the war. His half-brother was my great uncle by marriage, Samuel Crothers and as far as I know they were from Blackhill in Aghadowey.

Any help or direction will be as appreciated as ever!

Thanks

[shanreagh]

If Thomas Gray died in Burma during WW2 then he may have been a soldier/PoW in British Army. There will be a military file for him. If he died as a result of war he may be mentioned in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records.

I have done a search and there are several Burma records and one Singapore who was a dentist and had family at Rathfarnham which is a way from Aghadowey!

Best you read and search on this site......
https://www.cwgc.org/find/find-war-dead/

[aghadowey]

There was of Robert Alexander Gray of Ballynacally (also known as Ballyquin & Blackhill) a soldier in 1940 but Thomas doesn't ring any bells.
Another Rootschatter is likely to know more about Crothers family so I'll send a PM.

[Ben McCloskey Robinson]

Thanks for the help!

I’m not going to rule Robert out, since I’ve posted this, I’ve started to doubt I got his name right.

Going to have to check with my cousin again, and in the meantime I do a such on Robert and see if it fits.

Thanks again.

[aghadowey]

Robert Alexander Gray, age 30, died 1943- possibly the one I mentioned?
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2180739/gray,-robert-alexander/

If this is the same man then born 1912 at Drumacrow (not far from Ballynacally) and parents were (Robert) Wilson Gray & Annie Blakes-
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1912/01476/1601163.pdf
A sister Annie Elizabeth Gray born 1914-
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1914/01415/1581444.pdf

Wilson Gray of Ballynacally died 1920 age 27-
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1920/05119/4408270.pdf

All speculation until you get more details. Unfortunately files on Aghadowey War Memorial & soldiers are out on loan for dissertation research at the moment.

[aghadowey]

Looks like a good match-
Annie Gray m.15 Dec.1924 Coleraine registration district to Joseph Crithers

Robert Alexander Gray married in 1940 but not sure if there were any children from that marriage

[akanex2]

Aghadowey has it correct - Annie Blakes married Wilson Gray in 1911 and had four children : Robert Alexander, Annie Elizabeth, Walter and Letitia. After Wilson died in 1920, Annie married Joseph Crothers/Crithers (also a widower since his first wife Elizabeth Grissam died in 1914) and had a son Samuel in 1924. Corporal Robert Alexander Gray of 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers died 25 Jan 1943 and is buried in Chittagong (now Bangladesh)

[Ben McCloskey Robinson]

Thank you so much again Aghadowey and akanex2! Once again you have saved the day. My cousin will be so chuffed when I see her.

Thanks

Ben

[Craig matthew]

Re Robert Alexander Gray  He married Mary Helena Craig and had 1 son who died as an infant and is buried in 1st Garvagh old church yard, I am the son of Mary Craig who re married Douglas Matthew after Robert died in Burma, Robert was awarded the Burma Star which I now Have, I am doing some research into Roberts family I know he had a sister who lived in Portstewart and was know as nan. I should have some photos of Robert and my mother before he left to go to Burma.