Eric Westfield Gray (1908 - 1938)

Husband of Alice (Foster) Gray — married 25 Apr 1931 in Residence of Reverend W C Brooker, Alberton, Port Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Descendants

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Biography

Eric was born on 7 November 1908 to Ballington Booth Gray and Lizzie Field in Norwood, South Australia, Australia. ^[1]

Eric age 22, married Alice Gray, age 17 on 25 April 1931 at the residence of Reverend W C Brooker, Alberton, Port Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. ^[2]

Eric passed away 21 July 1938 as as the result of a motorcycle accident. ^[3]

Eric Gray was associated with the motor cycle industry as a salesman and mechanic for 15 years. He worked for E.T. Fisher & Co. a motorcycle agent in Grote St, Adelaide. He was an accomplished speedway solo motor cycle rider. His consistent performances in all classes of competition, particularly at Smithfield Speedway, Speedway Royal Wayville, Sellicks Beach, Hill Climb events and events at Lobethal made him a successful and well known rider of his era. The machine he rode was a Levis 250 cc, two stroke, which were sold by E.T. Fisher & Co. As secretary of the Levis social club he became one of the most respected officers in club life. At the age of 17 years he rode at the first meeting held at Smithfield Speedway on 13 Oct 1926. He also rode at the first ever meeting at Speedway Royal Wayville on 28 Feb 1927. Eric would quite often double up at speedway meetings as a sidecar passenger, in particular for Victorian champion rider, Alan Lewis, on a Norton sidecar outfit. Eric was still competing in speed events (Sellicks) and Hill climbs up to his untimely death. Sadly Eric was involved in a traffic accident when the motorcycle sidecar outfit he was riding collided with a motor truck. He died the next day in Adelaide Hospital. A fund was set up to assist Eric's widow and 2 children and had raised 100 pounds by Nov 1938. contributor: Chris Abbott, 49895910. ^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ SA BDM Digger 811/277
2. ↑ SA BDM Digger 327/295
3. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/132021359?searchTerm=%22eric%20westfield%20gray%22
4. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/215803668/eric-westfield-gray

• Brian Slater (Slater-1430) from Family records and various research