All Saints Church
Monday, 20 November 2017 in 44m (8–1–11)
1319 Grandsire Doubles
(being: 5 x 240s Leslie W. G. Morris, all called differently, containing every row at handstroke and at backstroke & 1 x 119.)
1 Robert H Harvey
2 Christopher C P Woodcock (C)
3 Yvonne A Woodcock
4 Paul Sharp
5 Michael Christie
6 Raymond A Cucksey
Ringing to Remember – We Will Remember You!
Rung by the local band with the bells half muffled to mark the centenary of the death of Gunner LESLIE HALKES WRAY who served in “E” Battalion of the Tanks Corps and was killed in action on 20th November 1917 at Cambrai aged 19.
He was driving ‘Ella,’ a 25 tonne Mark IV tank (which of course was designed, tested and built in Lincoln) whilst taking part in the largest and most significant tank battle of the First World War at Cambrai, when he was sadly killed in action on the first day.
He was the son of William & Susan Wray who lived in Nocton. His father William was a farmer at Nocton’s Park Farm, known locally as “Farmer Wray’s Yard”. ‘Wray’s Yard’ still exists today at the top of the road which leads down to the Church, with the farm buildings converted into residential property’s.
He was the ninth Nocton resident to be killed in the Great War.
He is buried at Ribecourt Road Cemetery, Trescault in France and is commemorated in one of the north windows in the nave here at All Saints, which was given by his parents in memory of him. The stained glass depicts the Tank Corps logo along with a WW1 tank & a machine gun (he was in the Machine Gun Corps prior to transferring to the Tank Corps), unusual things to be depicted in Church stained glass.
When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today.
Honourable age does not depend on length of days, nor is the number of years a true measure of life.
We were pleased to welcome his family to the joint Remembrance Sunday Service last weekend at Potterhanworth where three generations of Leslie’s family were present, his Nephew, Great Nephew & Great Great Nephew who wore Leslie’s WW1 medals with pride.
(Rung also for the Lincoln Diocesan Guild)
------------------------------------------------------------------
‘France 23rd November 1917
Dear Mr and Mrs Wray,
Writing as a member of the crew on behalf of us all. We wish to express our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to you all and much regret to say that your son, Leslie, was killed in action on the Thursday morning the 20th. His death was instantaneous and very sudden. He suffered no pain. We are sorry to have lost such a faithful friend, as he was always so kind to us all, and ever ready to take his part during these very great tasks and hardships. He was well respected by all who knew him. We cannot speak too highly of his good nature and the way he kept his engine. We all had the greatest confidence in him. His officer also fell by his side and we much regret to say that we have lost two of the best friends of the crew. They were both taken by a party and buried close by where they fell on the same day.
Having been his partner in the crew I have taken care of his private belongings, photos etc, and will forward some on if possible at the earliest convenience. I will conclude with deepest and heartfelt sympathy to all.
I am yours faithfully. 91718 Gunr J Glendinning

This performance is linked to the event Saint Andrew's and All Saints Society — Nocton Remembers (WW1 commemorations)

The oldest Bellhanging Company in the UK combining Modern Technology with Traditional Craftsmanship