Lieutenant-Colonel Bobby Bray
2nd Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment

Lieutenant-Colonel Bray was in a glider that crashed badly on landing. Though bruised and badly shaken, Lieutenant-Colonel Bray made his way to Divisional HQ. On the way he sustained further injuries owing to a fall which resulted in concussion. As soon as he recovered consciousness he continued on. Though in great pain he set to work when he arrived in a way which inspired all around him.

(D.S.O. citation, 31 August 1944)

Born on 14 June 1908, Decca, Bengal Presidency, Robert Napier Hubert Campbell Bray was commissioned in the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment following graduation from Royal Military Academy, Woolwich in 1929. In 1942, he became GSO 1 for the newly formed 6th Airborne Division. As chief-of-staff to Major-General Richard Nelson Gale, Bray helped to design the airborne operations for the Normandy invasion.

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