Robert Maxwell Gordon Gray

Aged 19

Max, as he was known, was the eleventh and last but one son, born at Keabog in 1989, the year of the Battle of Omdurman. In common with his brothers Bert, Andy and Cecil he joined up in the First World War although in his case, in view of his age, only toward the end of it; he served in France and it seems a particular irony that he should be killed after such short service and so close to the Armistice. He was not quite 20 when he died and was a Lance Corporal in the 24th Battalion of the then Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). He is buried in the British Military Cemetery at Proville which is a village and commune in the Department of the Nord, to the south west of Cambrai. His name is inscribed on the War Memorial outside the original Mackie Academy building and also on the Stonehaven War Memorial south of the town on the cliff top near Dunnottar Castle.

Before he entered the Army he had worked in the local office of the firm of auctioneers that his father had founded and managed. His obituary also records that he worked at the Metropolitan Meat Market in London (where his eldest brother Gordon was employed) but this must have been for a very short time.

He is remembered as being of medium height, well built, and 'nice-looking' with a round face, a fresh complexion and brown hair, and 'a very nice lad indeed'.

Contributed by Mrs Douglas Gray and Ian Gray as Editor.