Oct 20, 1879

Born in Toronto, Ontario to Robert Holt and Mary Isabel (nee Cowperthwaite) Gray

May 10, 1905

Married to Helen Harris Putnam in Toronto, Ontario

Jun 9, 1913

Shown on payroll of “F” Company, 59^th Stormont and Glengarry Regiment with the rank of Lieutenant

Jun 15, 1914

Shown on payroll of “F” Company, 59^th Stormont and Glengarry Regiment with the rank of Captain

Nov 9, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank Captain

Ø  Next of kin given as Helen Harris Gray, wife, Cornwall, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Manufacturer

Ø  Previous military experience given as 2^nd Regiment, Queen’s Own Rifles in Toronto and the 59^th Stormont and Glengarry Regiment

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted “E” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “D” Company

o   He was later posted to “C” Company

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

Dec 24, 1914

Granted leave until December 27

Feb 11, 1915

Granted sick leave

Apr 12, 1915

Promoted to the rank of Major and assumed command of “C” Company

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

Dec 31, 1915

While in the front lines on the Ypres Salient, Major Gray suffered from gas exposure on 2 occasions during the month of December but remained with the battalion and refused to report sick.  On New Year’s Eve his flare gun accidentally fired while in his dug out and caused respiratory distress from the gasses.

Jan 2, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Influenza and placed in the Division Rest Station at Mont Noir, north of Bailleul, France to recuperate

Jan 13, 1916

Discharged to duty from the rest station

Feb 10, 1916

Proceeded on leave of absence to England

Feb 20, 1916

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Apr 23, 1916

Admitted to the 1^st Division Rest Station with a diagnosis that reads Neurasthenia.  It was also noted as Shell Shock

Apr 26, 1916

Transferred to the No. 10 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) before being transferred to the Duchess of Westminster Hospital in Etaples for treatment

Apr 29, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Brighton

On arrival in England he was admitted to the No. 4 London General Hospital, Denmark Hill, London

On admission he is noted as being extremely nervous, weak, and suffers from tremors

Posted to the General List of Officers for pay purposes while in hospital

May 3, 1916

Discharged from hospital and granted sick leave

Jul 13, 1916

Medical Board in London notes little improvement in his condition.  He suffers from headaches, poor sleep and is very weak

Jul 19, 1916

Admitted to the Granville Special Hospital, Ramsgate with a diagnosis that reads NYD (Not Yet Determined).  This was later changed to read Shell Shock

Aug 14, 1916

Medical Board in London notes some improvement but he is not yet fit for general service and not expected to improve for at least 6 weeks.

Discharged from hospital and posted to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

Sep 27, 1916

While with the reserve battalion, his horse fell on him and he was badly shaken up.

Medical Board declares him unfit for service for 1 month

Oct 12, 1916

Medical Board declares him unfit for further service and recommends that he be returned to Canada for discharge

Oct 18, 1916

SOS (Struck Off Strength) the 39^th Battalion on being declared permanently unfit and to be returned to Canada

Oct 21, 1916

Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario

Jan 8, 1917

Medical Board in Kingston, Ontario finds that he is still suffering from disability, in that he is 15 pounds below normal weight, sleeps poorly, is nervous and irritable, and suffers from poor memory.  Board recommends that he be re-examined in 6 months

Jun 1, 1917

Medical Board in Kingston, Ontario finds that he is still suffering from shell shock but improving.  He tires easily and still shows marked nervousness.  The condition is expected to continue for at least 6 months

Oct 26, 1917

Medical Board in Kingston notes

Ø  Soldier is mentally and physically exhausted

Ø  Severe headaches

Ø  Poor memory

Ø  Suffers from insomnia

Ø  Somewhat depressed

Ø  Tremors in hands

Ø  Suffers from shortness of breath

Board recommends discharge from military service

Following the end of the war the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at First St., Cornwall, Ontario

Nov 3, 1934

Appointed Honorary Vice President of the Cornwall Chapter of the 21^st Battalion Association

Mar 21, 1960

Samuel Morgan Gray died in Cornwall, Ontario and was buried in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto, with full honours