Private David Gray

David Gray form Croydon enlisted into The Parachute Regiment in April 1981. He was sent to The Depot The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces at Browning Barracks, Aldershot joining P Company (Coy) with 273 Platoon (Pln).

273 Pln had 66 members of which 25 passed out on 6 November 1981, nine going to The 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (1 PARA), eight to The 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (3 PARA), and Private Gray joined seven others who were posted to The 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) in Aldershot on 25 November 1981.

Pte Gray went on Operation Corporation, The Falklands Campaign on-board the MV Norland on 26 April 1982 as a member of C (Bruneval) Coy, a Patrol coy.

During the battle of Goose Green, Pte Gray a patrol medic went to the aid of Lance Corporal Tighe who had a severe gunshot wound to an upper arm. Pte Gray way hit by shrapnel and lost his lower leg and the other leg was damaged. An account of this can be found in ‘Goose Green: A Battle is Fought to be Won’ by Mark Adkin.

Pte Gray was Mentioned in Despatches for his actions at Goose Green. He was medically discharged.

David went on to have son Alex and a daughter Laura. He worked for many years for Corrs.

David died on 18 May 2004 aged 40 years old.