memorial to Hammy Gray VC in Japan to be rebuilt

[kootenayguy]

The story of Lieut. Robert Hampton "Hammy" Gray of Nelson, British Columbia, Canada is extraordinary in several respects. First, the action for which he won the VC posthumously occurred a day AFTER the a-bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Also, many residents of Onagawa in North East Japan witnessed from the hills his courageous aerial attack that sank a Japanese destroyer in Onagawa Bay. They were genuinely impressed with his bravery, and took it upon themselves to establish a memorial to Gray on a spot overlooking the scene of the action. I have heard that this is the only memorial in Japan that the Japanese initiated for an Allied hero.

Several of Hammy's friends attended a ceremony in 1987 dedicating the memorial, including my uncle Peter Dewdney who was a boyhood pal. Unfortunately, the memorial was seriously damaged by the earthquake and tsunami last year. The story in the link below reports that the residents of the city plan to rebuild the memorial. When you think of all the other damage the city suffered, it says a lot that they continue to honour Hammy. There have been several visits by Onagawa and Nelson school groups back and forth in recent years.

http://www.nelsonstar.com/news/137383653.html

[John Odom]

That is great, Thanks for sharing.

[hood51]

This is excellent news. Full marks to them for getting it right.

Steve

[Rob Stuart]

kootenayguy,

I too am happy to hear this news and appreciate that you shared it, but, if I may, I'd point out that the vessel Lt Gray sank was not a destroyer. It was the 860 ton 20-knot escort vessel Amakusa, which was much more akin to a corvette or a sloop than to a destroyer. Certainly the Japanese did not classify it as a destroyer. Also, Gray sank the Amakusa on 9 August 1945, which was the day Nagasaki was bombed and three days (not one day) after the Hiroshima bombing. For further info see http://www.combinedfleet.com/Amakusa_t.htm and scroll down to 9 August.

FWIW,

Rob

[kootenayguy]

Thanks for the corrections. So tragic that he would die so close to the end of the war.

[Brian Wentzell]

Gentlemen: It should be noted that Lt. Robert Hamilton Gray, VC, DSC, RCNVR was the only member of the RCN to be awarded the VC in World War 2.
Brian

[kootenayguy]

Very pleased to report that the memorial for Hammy Gray in Japan has been rebuilt. See story in the Nelson (British Columbia) Star in the link below. Quite amazing that the Japanese, with so much recovery needed after the earthquake/tsunami, would support the rebuilding of the memorial.

http://www.nelsonstar.com/news/162962846.html

[Scatari]

Originally Posted by kootenayguy

Very pleased to report that the memorial for Hammy Gray in Japan has been rebuilt. See story in the Nelson (British Columbia) Star in the link below. Quite amazing that the Japanese, with so much recovery needed after the earthquake/tsunami, would support the rebuilding of the memorial.

http://www.nelsonstar.com/news/162962846.html

Thanks for the update - wonderful to see.

As a point of interest, the Admiral's Conference Room in naval headquarters here in Ottawa features a beautiful painting of Lieutenant Gray's attack on the Japanese ship, together with a photograph of him and replicas of his medals.

He is not forgotten by today's sailors.