Main CPGW Record
Surname: BRAY
Forename(s): Robert
Place of Birth: Earby, Yorkshire
Service No: 203334
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 'B' Coy 1/4th Battalion
Division: 49th (West Riding) Division
Age: 23
Date of Death: 1918-04-26
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 82 to 85.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: EARBY, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Robert Henry Bray was the son of Henry and Mary Elizabeth Bray, née Harland. Henry was born at Barnetby-le-Wold, Lincolnshire and Mary at Mickley near Masham, Yorkshire. Robert's sister, Mary Sophia Bray, was married to Ronald Cowgill, the brother of Private Norris Cowgill (20986) (q.v.).
1901 Earby, Yorkshire Census: 41, Colne Road - Robert H. Bray, aged 6 years, born Aughton [sic], Yorkshire, son of Harry and Mary Bray.
1911 Earby, Yorkshire Census: 135, Station View, Colne Road - Robert Bray, aged 16 years, born Earby, son of Harry and Mary Elizabeth Bray.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Robert Bray, 203334, W. Rid. R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Robert Bray, 203334, 1/4th W. Rid. R. K. in A. 26.4.18.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Robert Bray, 203334, 1/4th Bn West Riding. Date and Place of Death: 26.4.18. [In] Action. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother and Legatee - Mary. £21 18s. 8d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Robert. Regimental Numbers: 4895, 203334. Name(s) on card(s): Mrs Mary E. Bray. Relationship: Mother. Address 1. 2, Sandholme Terrace, Earby, Via Colne. Address 2. Station View, Earby, Via Colne, Lancs. Claimant: Henry Bray. Relationship to Man: Father. Address: 14, Sandholme Terrace, Earby.
See also:
‘Earby in the First World War’ by Stephanie Carter, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2014).
‘Our Finest Crop’ by Steven Marshall, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2020).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
BRAY, Robert, aged 23, W.R.R., 2, Sandholme Terrace, [Earby], killed in action, April 26, 1918.
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Private Robert BRAY
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, April 27, 1918
OUR FIGHTING RETREAT FROM ARMENTIÈRES: THE FIVE DAYS’ DEFENCE OF ERQUINGHEM. DRAWN BY H. W. KOEKKOEK FROM MATERIAL SUPPLIED BY AN EYE-WITNESS. Erquinghem is about two miles west of Armentières (seen in the distance in the right background of our drawing), and lies on the road (seen in the middle distance on the right) leading west by south to Estaires and Merville. A pontoon-bridge over the River Lys is shown on the extreme left in the background. In the right foreground is the British first-line trench, and further to the left are rows of sectional trenches. Writing on April 11, Mr. H. Perry Robinson said: “When the success of the first attack on Ploegsteert permitted the Germans to pour through on the north side, while on the south side the fighting was going on about Estaires, the threat to our garrison in the Armentières area was evidently so great, with the enemy nearly making contact from both flanks in the rear, that it was withdrawn first to Erquinghem soon after midday yesterday, and then to a line in front of Nieppe, which line we still hold.” [The 1/4th Bn Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) fought in and around Erquinghem on the 10th April 1918]
Kindly supplied by Robert S. Richardson
St Mary's Churchyard, Thornton-in-Craven
Family gravestone
St Mary's Churchyard, Thornton-in-Craven
Family gravestone - detail of memorial inscription
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
17 May 1918
Private Robert Bray, Earby
Another Earby soldier, Private Robert Bray, West Riding Regiment, was killed on April 26th, after 19 months in France. He was 23 years of age and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bray, 2 Sandholme Terrace, Earby.
21 June 1918
BRAY - Killed in action April 28th, 1918. Robert (Bob), dearly beloved son of Harry and. Mary Bray, in his 24th year.
We mourn for him in silence,
But with no outward show;
For the heart that mourns sincerely
Beats silently and low.
Mother, Father, Brothers and Sisters, 2 Sandholme Terrace, Earby.
25 April 1919
BRAY - In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private Robert Bray, West Riding Regiment, killed in action April 26th, 1918.
It is not the tears at the moment shed,
That tell how beloved is the soul that has fled;
But the tears through many a long day wept,
And the sad remembrance so fondly kept.
From Father, Mother, Brother, Sisters and Bell, Earby.
25 June 1920
BRAY - In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Pte. Robert Bray (Bob), West Riding Regiment, killed in action, April 26th, 1918.
The sunshine of our home has gone,
Home is dark without our dear one;
Bitterly we miss his sweet face;
Sadness lurks where once was gladness;
None can fill the vacant place.
BRAY - In loving memory of our dear brother, Pte. Robert Bray, killed in action, April 26th, 1918.
When we recall fond memories, dear,
Which cling to us from year to year
Of bygone days before the war,
Those memories sweet, how dear they are.
From Sister, Brother and Nephew, Sandholme Terrace, Earby.
24 June 1921
BRAY - In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private Robert Bray, 1/4 West Riding Regiment, killed in action, April 24th, 1918.
Fresh in our mind your memory clings,
Yet still our grief is sore;
But, each passing year will nearer bring
The day we shall meet once more.
From father, mother and sisters, 14, Sandholme Terrace, Earby.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
17 May 1918
BRAY - Killed on April 26th, Pte. Robert Bray, West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bray, of 2, Sandholm Terrace, Earby, aged 23.
17 May 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Pte. R. Bray, Earby
Another Earby soldier, Pte. Richard Bray, West Riding Regiment, was killed on April 26th, after 19 months in France. He was 23 years of age, and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bray, 2, Sandholme Terrace, Earby.
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