John Stanley Bray (1896 - 1919)

Born 5 Sep 1896 in Cooma, NSW, Australia

Ancestors

Died 1 Jul 1919 at age 22 in Randwick, NSW, Australia

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Biography

Stan was born 5th September 1896.^[1]

In May 1910, Stan came second in the 12 and under 14 running race at the picnic ground. He and B. Mawson came first in the three legged race. In November 1912 Stan was presented a medal for winning the skirmishing race at the Hospital Sports. In June 1913, Stan listed as a forward for the Cooma Cadets for a football match to be played against the Cooma Junior Football Club. ^[2]

Stan was a bricklayer before the war. He was 18 years and 10 months old and currently serving in the 11th Light Horse, Cooma Troop when he applied to enlist at Cooma on July 17th 1915. He was rejected on medical grounds, but was declared "Fit for Home Service". Stan then joined in the Citizen Forces at Holsworthy. He tried to enlist in the A.I.F. at least 2 other times, only to be rejected on each occasion. He served his country as a Guard at the German Concentration Camp, Holsworthy.

Died 1st of July 1919 at age 23,^[3] at the No. 4 General Hospital Randwick NSW. The cause of death was Pneumonic Influenza, Broncho pneumonia, Cardiac failure.

Accorded a military funeral on the 3rd at the Church of England Cemetery, Rookwood.

“The deceased was assured a military funeral, the internment taking place at Rookwood. The scene was an impressive one as the funeral proceeded to the Central Railway Station, the crowds of pedestrians halting, and soldiers en route saluting the cortege.”^[4].

His name is on the Cooma Cenotaph among those of the 53 men who fell in the First World War.

Sources

Australian Imperial Force

1. ↑ NSW BDM Index, 29978/1896
2. ↑ The Monaro Mercury
3. ↑ NSW BDM Index, 18515/1919
4. ↑ Monaro Mercury, July 4th 1919