Australian Naval History on 30 June 1966

Kenneth Douglas Gray, who as pilot of an RAF Lancaster bomber was awarded a DFC in 1943, was promoted to the rank of Captain in the Royal Australian Navy. Acting Captain Gray. who joined the R.A.A.F. in 1941 under the Empire Air Training Scheme, was awarded a D.F.C. in 1943, for his actions in piloting a Lancaster bomber of 101 Squadron in a raid over Stettin on the Baltic coast In northern Germany. His aircraft was badly damaged by ground fire on the way co the target but he continued the raid, on the return flight his bomber was attacked by German fighters end his aircraft shot down. Acting Captain Gray was discharged from the R.A.A.F. with the rank of Flight Lieutenant in 1946, and in 1948 he joined the R.A.N. as a pilot lieutenant. In 1951 he transferred to general services – the seaman branch of the R.A.N.