Gray, Oberlin Herbert (Private, b.1890 - d.1918)

Collection relating to the First World War service of 2552 Private Oberlin Herbert Gray, 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, Gallipoli and France, 1915 to1918. There are six diaries in the collection, with entries beginning on 31 January 1915 (pre-embarkation) and ending on 22 August 1918. Oberlin Gray was killed in France two days later, on 24 August, having almost survived the whole war. His brother, Private Frederic Oliver Gray, was with him when he was killed, and the final page of the final diary was written by Frederick Oliver, explaining what happened. Both brothers served alongside as stretcher bearers, in Gallipoli and France. They chose to join the medical corps, as the family were Quakers, and conscientiously weren’t able to ‘take up arms’, however they still wanted to serve.

There’s a particularly interesting entry in Oberlin’s second diary, written on Wednesday 19 May 1915, referring to Simpson and his Donkey:

‘At 4.30 dawn, roar and boom of heavy guns, a tornado of sound. Shells falling over all the hills, bursting above us and showering earth in all directions. Machine guns, rifles. Explosive bullets. Big naval guns firing and the boom of guns on the hills and from Turks. At 5.45 called to go out with stretcher, a fresh burst of firing - many shells falling in sea and sending up huge clouds of spray. Up Shrapnel Gully where machine gun was playing, shells bursting everywhere, a miracle we weren't touched. One chap 3rd FA [3rd Field Ambulance] shot in wrist. Some dead lying about, many wounded, a hell of firing and noise. Working hard for some hours. One poor chap with arm torn off at shoulder, they bear their wounds bravely. Turks nearly through left wing, great slaughter among them. Very warm day. On second trip up a hail of shots from machine gun - one of 3rd FA with a small donkey wearing red cross going up, smiling. He has done a lot of work. On next trip up he was shot through the heart. Simpson - saw him lying with a smile on his face. Later after dark at an open grave, the chaplain read the funeral service, Church of England. "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” A lot of the AMC there - a number of wounded today and a number of others buried also - 30 killed and 50 also wounded today - much shelling into trenches. Had dinner and up again, get back at 5:30. Two wounded Turks - they are trying to get information from them. Later went down to beach for water - much firing - didn’t get to sleep till midnight.’

Oberlin’s diary entries are highly detailed, and he wrote daily, for three and a half years. In his sixth diary, during the days preceding his death, Oberlin details his marches through Corbie and up the Somme valley. His final entry on Thursday 22 August 1918 is distinctively brief, reading ‘warm and sunny’. The following page, Friday 23 August, has been completed by Frederick Oliver, Oberlin’s brother: ‘Oberlin was wounded severely in the head (compound fracture) and also left side just above the hip. I was a few yards from him when the shell burst and was with him instantly … I applied first field dressings and carried him out. I was with Oberlin up until the time he was put onto an ambulance cab 1½ hours later. He did not recover consciousness … I obtained permission to leave my post (12 Batt) and at 7.30 pm arrived at no. 55 CCS [Casualty Clearing Station], too late to be in time for the burial which had taken place at 4pm. Oberlin passed away without regaining consciousness. He suffered no pain whatever. I have never seen a more peaceful expression as was his when I saw him last. The dear boy is buried at Daours Plot 6 Row B No. 10 grave.’

• Diary of Oberlin Herbert Gray, January to May 1915
• Diary of Oberlin Herbert Gray, May to August 1915
• Diary of Oberlin Herbert Gray, August 1915 to March 1916
• Diary of Oberlin Herbert Gray, April 1916 to June 1917
• Diary of Oberlin Herbert Gray, July 1917 to August 1918
• Diary of Oberlin Herbert Gray, January to August 1918