#15167, Christian Hamilton GRAY

In 1864, on his first day at school he was asked “What is your Christian name?” to which he replied “Christian” (he had been named after his father’s mother, Christian Hamilton) and “When is your birthday?”, “April 1^st”, “Insolent boy! Are we to believe you are called Christian and were born on April Fool’s day?” “Yes” he truthfully answered, for which he was unfairly punished!

At 7 years old he moved with his family to London, where he received the same rigorous education and training as his three older brothers, Robert, Matthew and Jonathon. He was a confident child who wrote long & entertaining letters to his sister, Bess. He was diligent & respectful while enjoying vying for position for good looks & ability with his brothers.

Chris grew up to be a man full of drive to discover and learn, responding positively to any opportunity that came his way. He travelled and worked abroad in France and Algiers, and was given the responsibility of the Rubber Department in the India Rubber Gutta Percha Telegraph Works, IRGPTW, Silvertown factory where his father was Manager, at the age of twenty six.

There he applied himself to the manufacture of submarine telegraph cables, golf and tennis balls, car, aeroplane and bicycle tyres and much more. In 1913, with a colleague, Thomas Sloper, he took out the patent for radial tyres. This was one of over 100 patents he applied for. Chris was a man who enjoyed a tussle. He was tough but fair in business and as such was well respected and successful.

In his thirties he met and wooed Sophie Tupper Cameron, eleven years his younger. Their promise to marry brimmed with love and happiness, but their path was not to be smooth. Chris’ love remained constant but Sophie’s father, General Cameron’s resolve to forbid their marriage was firm. Not to be out done, once Sophie became of age in April 1891 she and Chris planned to elope. He travelled to Canada and they arranged their marriage ceremony in secret. All went to plan on the day but, as soon as her father found out, his response was to deny Sophie contact with her mother and her four sisters. He remained intransigent for some years, but despite the distressing loss of contact with her family, Chris’ love and care for Sophie ensured a happy marriage.

A second important secret mission Chris undertook was during WW1, when ‘He was awarded the chief credit for having conceived and successfully carried out the bold scheme of cutting and diverting certain German submarine cables, and for this work he received the cross of Chevalier of the Legion of Honour from the French Government.’ All credit to him. During his several visits to France during WW1 he distributed shirts made by his sister Bess to hospitals and cigarettes to the soldiers, while lending a hand where he could. He joined the Kent Fencibles, a voluntary military force, becoming their Commandant and smartening up the man’s uniforms! He also supported the Boy Scouts and in 1961 the ‘Christian Gray Scout Hut’ became 5^th Erith Scouts HQ.

Chris and Sophie enjoyed a variety of sporting activities, the principal of which became golf, where he became a prominent member, Captain and Field Marshal, of the Royal Blackheath Golf Club. He developed Barnehurst as a club for ladies and they played frequently at Rye. In the early days of their marriage both had lessons in fencing and enjoyed cycling in which they were pioneers in the 1890’s. Walking and shooting holidays at Glen Quaich Lodge in Scotland where family and friends gathered in August and September were annual events. The men strode the Scottish hills shooting grouse and chasing hares while also entertaining important business colleagues.

Chris successfully applied his powers of observation and analysis with consideration in all aspects of his business, social and personal life. The following was taken from a condolence letter sent to Bess on Chris’ death from a Swedish friend Gerta H?glund:

“Time is running quickly and life is short. But love and kindness do not finish. They live on and spread blessings from generation to generation. We do not know how far they go. Chris sent out such waves of eternal value. We have to try to act in the same spirit.”

Nicky Hibbin