Sergeant Edward A Gray

Sergeant Instructor E.A. Gray APTC

Particulars of APTC Instructor 

• D.O.B. - 04.08.1909.

• Enlisted in RTC (Royal Tank Corps) 16.01.1929 - 15.01.1935. Duties: Driver, P.T. Instructor.

• RAC (Royal Armoured Corps) 15.08.1939 - November 1941. Duties: Tank Commander, P.T. Instructor.

• 9th Armoured Division, RAC November 1942 – May 1943. Duties: Assault Instructor.

• Army Trade: Physical Training and Driver/Mechanic.

• Other Experience: - passed driving test for car, motorcycle and heavy goods vehicle. Holds experience in; metalwork, car repairs, cooking, woodwork, handling boats, first aid.

Promotions prior to joining the APTC

• Pte. 16.01.1929.

• L/Cpl. 04.09.1932.

• Cpl. 17.12.1940.

Joined APTC – 27.11.1943, attached to A.A.C. (Army Air Corps).

Promotions while serving APTC

• S.I. (Sergeant Instructor) - 27.11.1943.

Previous Qualifications

• Preliminary PT Course, Tidworth, qualification level 3, 20.11.1932 - 10.01.1933.

• Physical Education Course, Cardiff, passed, Easter 1937.

• Summer Course, Ollerup, Denmark, passed, August 1938.

• Weekend courses under C.C.R.P.T., Loughborough & Rhyl, passed.

• American Tank Armament course, Lulworth Camp, Dorset, qualified; Practical Handling – Very Good, Knowledge of Weapons – Good, Lecturing and Teaching – Good, 28.04.1941 - 03.05.1941.

• Pre-advanced course, Leeds, passed, 17.08.1941 - 25.08.1941.

• Assault Instructor No.2 Course, qualified, from 29.12.1941 - 04.12.1942.

• Trained Parachutist, qualified, 27.07.1943.

Previous Teaching Experience

• A.I. (Assistant Instructor), 5th Battalion R.T.C., Perham Down, 1932 – 1934.

• P.T.I. (Physical Training Instructor), Ministry of Labour, Cardiff, March 1936 – August 1937.

• Butlins Holiday Camp, Clacton, May 1938 – September 1938.

• Leicester Education Department, January 1939 – April 1939.

• Sandbay Holiday Camp, Weston Super-Mare, May 1939 – August 1939.

• A.I., HQ 9th Armoured Division, November 1940 – January 1942.

• Airborne School, June 1943 – September 1943.

List of Place of offences, offences, rank, punishments, date of sentence awarded, remarks:

Place

Date of Offence

Rank

Offence

Punishment

Date of Award

Remarks

Bovington Camp

17.01.1935

L/Cpl

Irregular Conduct.

'While in charge of boys, allowing them to go AWOL.'

Severely Reprimanded

17.01.1935

 

Field 

02.11.1940

L/Cpl

AWOL

Absenting himself without authorised leave from 2359 hrs 02/11/40 to 1045 hrs 13/11/40.

Deprived of leave.

26.11.1940

 

Remarks of Officer Commanding, Instructors Course:

This NCO has given complete satisfaction without showing any expressed effort. His performance and appearance are good and he has a sound knowledge of all subjects taught, and has a good background of military subjects. He appears casual in manner and this reflected in his leadership, he should do a useful job of work at a Parachute Training School for which he shows great enthusiasm. He passed all the Basic and Battle Efficiency Tests 

List of Place of offences, offences, rank, punishments, date of sentence awarded, remarks:

Place

Date of Offence

Rank

Offence

Punishment

Date of Award

Remarks

Bovington Camp

17.01.1935

L/Cpl

Irregular Conduct.

'While in charge of boys, allowing them to go AWOL.'

Severely Reprimanded

17.01.1935

 

Field 

02.11.1940

L/Cpl

AWOL

Absenting himself without authorised leave from 2359 hrs 02/11/40 to 1045 hrs 13/11/40.

Deprived of leave.

26.11.1940

 

Remarks of Officer Commanding, Instructors Course:

' This NCO has given complete satisfaction without showing any expressed effort. His performance and appearance are good and he has a sound knowledge of all subjects taught, and has a good background of military subjects. He appears casual in manner and this reflected in his leadership, he should do a useful job of work at a Parachute Training School for which he shows great enthusiasm. He passed all the Basic and Battle Efficiency Tests except swimming and passed 2nd Class and 1st Class PT Tests.'

General Remarks:

'A strong and tough NCO who maintained a high standard of work throughout the course. Although a very weak swimmer he persisted in his efforts to attempt both swimming tests and succeeded in passing by sheer grit. His work was at all times, that required of the Corps.

Nature of Employment for which qualified:

' He is suitable for employment on his own in any capacity, but it is considered that he could be most suitably employed with paratroops.'

Postings

• Airborne Forces Depot, Chesterfield, 29.12.1943

• HQ 1st Airborne Division, England, 30.10.1944.

• A.A.C. Depot, Chesterfield, 06.04.1945

• A.L.F.N.  (Allied Landing Forces Norway), 07.05.1945.