Hi, My name is Rob Gray. My father David Mason Gray was a Hiroshima POW #8B Motoyama and I have been looking into his time in the war on and off since he died in 2010. We are coming up to 10 years since he died and would like to find out more of his experiences if I can Regards Rob Gray
There is a mass of information already in the forum, so searching might help. Then there is the expertise members have, some with access to websites behind a paywall and no doubt they will be along. It helps to give as much information on your late father as you have; notably his date of Birth, Service Number, regiment, place captured etc. then the jigsaw has more pieces.
Welcome Rob, I think I have identified your father: Gnr D M Gray, 1764458, 6th HAA DofB 30/7/20 If this is correct I would suggest you start a new thread rather than continue this in the 'Introduction' thread. I can then post more information. Tim
Thanks for the welcome and the advice everyone. Yes Tim that is my father. Funny but seeing the date on your reply has just made me realise that he would have been 100 this year. Must be a reason to celebrate in there somewhere. I will start a new thread for further posts or requests. Stay safe everyone. Rob
Doing research for a friend (Pat Walker), I found his name on a returning POW form at the National Archives in 2012. Do you have a photo of him after he was liberated, as there a 3 photos from Motoyama in a book written by Pat Walker. His name is on page 333. GRAY, D.M. GUNNER S/N – 1764458 6 HAA REGT CAPTURED JAVA - 9 MARCH 1942 (RETURNING POW FORM COMPLETED)
Photo of him taken as a prisoner from the Mansell site and a photo of him with 2 others (Dont know when or where it was taken), which I have shared with a couple of sites but nothing of him after release. I have read the 1st issue of Pat Walkers book but it wass lent out and gone astray. I will probably buy the 2nd issue to look for any updates Regards Rob
I did many trips to kew and spent many hours looking for names. I found D. Gray's name and his name was added to the 2nd edition when I sent it to Pat Walker. Patwalker is a member of the forum and you can send a private message to see if he can add any more info. When my computer finishes an update, i,'ll send you a copy of the war crimes report compiled by Gunner Leslie Dursley of 6 HAA Regiment, captured the same day, probably the same place.
