Royston Charles Bray

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 06/02/2018 - 10:01

First Name:

Royston

Middle Name:

Charles

Last Name:

Bray

Date of Birth:

Thursday, November 28, 1895

Mother's Name:

Flora Bray nee Campbell

Father's Name:

Roland Bray

Date Enlisted:

Monday, March 27, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Lance Corporal

Unit:

1st Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Thursday, August 6, 1970

Place of Death:

Sydney

Details:

Royston Bray (Service No 5661) was born in Albion Park, N.S.W.

At enlistment Royston was single, 21 years old, and worked as a bank clerk. Royston's family were living in Bulli, N.S.W. where his father was the local police sergeant.

Royston embarked from Syney on board HMAT A55 Kyarra with 1st Battalion, 18th Reinforcement on 3rd June 1916. He arrived in England on 3rd August 1916 and joined the 1st Battalion in France on 25th September 1916.

Royston saw service on the Western Front. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 4th November 1917.

On 23rd August 1918 while fighting near the village of Bray-sur-Somme in France, Royston was wounded in action and evacuated to hospital for treatment of serious gunshot wounds to his right shoulder and chest. While recovering from these wounds Royston developed empyema, a collection of pus in the pleural, or chest, cavity, and was classed as dangerously ill. Royston's next-of-kin were notified on more than one occasion of his condition.

Royston eventually recovered and was finally well enough to be repatriated to Australia, arriving in Sydney in April 1919. Royston received further treatment in hospital in Sydney and was finally discharged from the AIF on 22nd March 1920.

On 22nd June 1920 he married May Williams in Sydney and they raised 3 children.

Royston died in Sydney in 1970. His service is commemorated on the Woonona Presbyterian Church honour roll.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, BRAY R C