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The Rev William Arthur Gordon Gray, MA, was Vicar of Hungerford between 1895 and 1900.

Much of the information in this section (and all of the scans) was kindly sent to the Virtual Museum between 2011 and 2013 by Alastair Honeybun, of Perth, Western Australia. Alastair Honeybun describes himself as "an amateur and enthusiastic genealogist". He has managed to find out a great deal about Rev WAG Gray, and we are very grateful.

It all started in 2011, when...

"A dear friend of mine whom I have known for the past 38 years is the great grand-daughter of the Rev. William Arthur Gordon Gray whom I believe was the Vicar of the Parish Church of St. Lawrence from 1895-1900.

My friend has only recently discovered that she is a descendant of the Rev. William Arthur Gordon Gray and is understandably excited to find out more information about her great grandfather, and also his wife Blanche and their children William, Mary and Ann."

Amongst his many other contributions to the community, he supported the Church Lads Brigade (see report in Reading Mercury Sat 27 Jan 1900).

It was during his term of office that several important projects came to fruition, including Hungerford Newtown Infant School, St John's Mission Hall (opened 12th October 1899), and Church House (now Croft Hall), (opened 2nd August 1900).

Indeed, his very last duty was to preside at the opening ceremony of Church House. In the afternoon of 2nd August, a presentation was made to Mr Gray thanking him for his spiritual work over the previous five and a half years.

He was buried at Ruislip on 24th March 1932 (see below right for copy of Burial Register). A photo of his memorial is shown in the Photo Gallery.

His son William Edward Thomas Seccombe "Tom" Gray was to be Vicar of Hungerford between 1909 and 1924.

Photo Gallery:

Rev WAG Gray
Rev WAG Gray

Report in Reading Mercury of Rev WAG Gray's arrival in Hungerford, 26 Jan 1895.(kindly sent by Alastair Honeybun)

Rev WAG Gray
Rev WAG Gray

Report in Reading Mercury of Rev WAG Gray's induction as Vicar of Hungerford, 2 Feb 1895.(kindly sent by Alastair Honeybun)

Rev WAG Gray
Rev WAG Gray

Report in Reading Mercury mentioning Rev WAG Gray at Harvest Thanksgiving, 21 Sep 1895. (kindly sent by Alastair Honeybun)

Rev WAG Gray
Rev WAG Gray

Report from the Reading Mercury 27 Jan 1900 about the Church Lads Brigade attended by Rev WAG Gray. (Kindly sent by Alastair Honeybun)

Rev WAG Gray
Rev WAG Gray

1911 England Census for the Gray Family. Transcription of text in document: GRAY, William Ed Thomas Lecombe Head Married M 31 1880 Clergyman Established Church London L East Grove GRAY, Edith Mary Wife Married 2 years F 25 1886 Nothants Kitter/ GRAY, Mary Edith Lecombe Daughter F 1 1910 Berks Hungerford HUNTLEY, Elizabeth Ann Servant Single F 26 1885 Cook Domestic Berks Kintbury MOSS, Elizabeth Anne Servant Single F 25 1886 Nurse Domestic Berks Reading. (Kindly sent by Alastair Honeybun)

Rev WAG Gray
Rev WAG Gray

Copy of the Burial register for the parish of Ruislip which records the burial of the Rev. William Arthur Gordon Gray on 24 Mar 1932. (Kindly sent by Alastair Honeybun)

Rev WAG Gray
Rev WAG Gray

William Arthur Gordon Gray's entry in the Cambridge University Alumni Book. Author: University of Cambridge; Venn, John, 1834-1923; Venn, J. A. (John Archibald), b. 1883 Volume: 3, pt.2 (kindly sent by Alastair Honeybun)

Rev WAG Gray
Rev WAG Gray

Extract from "Scottish episcopal clergy, 1689-2000" by David M Bertie - Page 276. Contains a synopsis of the careers of both Tom Gray and his father William Arthur Gordon Gray.
(Kindly sent by Alastair Honeybun)

Rev WAG Gray
Rev WAG Gray

Rev William Arthur Gordon Gray (19 Oct 1847 - 19 Mar 1932). (kindly sent by Alastair Honeybun)

Rev WAG Gray
Rev WAG Gray

The announcement of Rev WAG Gray's appointment to Hungerford, 1895. "Ecclesiastical Intelligence. The Times (London, England), Tuesday, Jan 29, 1895; pg. 11; Issue 34486."
(kindly sent by Alastair Honeybun)

headstone - rev william arthur gordon gray
headstone - rev william arthur gordon gray

The gallery includes several records of Rev WAG Gray's life both before and during his time in Hungerford. They have all been kindly sent by Alastair Honeybun:

- Rev William Arthur Gordon Gray 19th October 1847 - 19th March 1932.

- William Arthur Gordon Gray's entry in the Cambridge University Alumni Book. Author: University of Cambridge; Venn, John, 1834-1923; Venn, J. A. (John Archibald), b. 1883 Volume: 3, pt.2.

- The announcement of Rev WAG Gray's appointment to Hungerford, 1895. "Ecclesiastical Intelligence. The Times (London, England), Tuesday, 29th January 1895; pg. 11; Issue 34486."

- Report in Reading Mercury of Rev WAG Gray's arrival in Hungerford, 26th January 1895.

- Report in Reading Mercury of Rev WAG Gray's induction as Vicar of Hungerford, 2nd February 1895.

- Report in Reading Mercury mentioning Rev WAG Gray at Harvest Thanksgiving, 21 Sep 1895.

- Report from the Reading Mercury 27th January 1900 about the Church Lads Brigade attended by Rev WAG Gray.

- Copy of the Burial register for the parish of Ruislip which records the burial of the Rev. William Arthur Gordon Gray on 24th March 1932.

- Extract from "Scottish episcopal clergy, 1689-2000" by David M Bertie - Page 276. Contains a synopsis of the careers of both Tom Gray and his father William Arthur Gordon Gray.

- Memorial of Rev W. A. G. Gray.

- 1911 England Census for the Gray Family.
GRAY, William Ed Thomas Lecombe Head Married M 31 1880 Clergyman Established Church London L East Grove
GRAY, Edith Mary Wife Married 2 years F 25 1886 Nothants Kitter/
GRAY, Mary Edith Lecombe Daughter F 1 1910 Berks Hungerford
HUNTLEY, Elizabeth Ann Servant Single F 26 1885 Cook Domestic Berks Kintbury
MOSS, Elizabeth Anne Servant Single F 25 1886 Nurse Domestic Berks Reading.

See also:

- Vicars of Hungerford

- Rev W E T "Tom" Gray

- St Lawrence Church

- Croft Hall (Church House)