The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Decoration group of three awarded to Rev. Andrew Gray, New Zealand Chaplain's Department who served during the First World War in New Zealand as the senior Presybterian Chaplain for New Zealand.

 

Andrew Gray was born in Glasgow, Scotland on 8th January 1865. He studied at Glasgow University and Theological Hall, subsequently being ordained in the Church of Scotland. He came to New Zealand in 1893 via Australia, serving at Knox Church, Lower Hutt. He moved to Gore in 1899, where ministered until in 1912 whereupon he transferred to Dunedin.

 

In 1900, whilst at Gore, Gray was appointed Chaplain (4th Class) with the Mataura Rifle Volunteers. He was promoted to Chaplain (3rd Class) in 1907. On the formation of the Territorial system in 1911, Gray was appointed Chaplain to the 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles. In 1913 Gray transferred to the NZ Chaplains Department (unattached). During the First World War, Gray served at Trentham Camp between 1915 and 1919. He was promoted to Chaplain (2nd Class), or Lt-Col. equivalent in June 1918. He received the NZ Territorial Service Medal in 1916, the NZ Long and Efficient Service Medal in 1917 and finally the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Decoration in 1920.

 

Andrew Gray died at Dunedin on 23rd April 1922, and was buried in Anderson's Bay Cemetery.

 

All medals correctly engraved TSM: REV. A. GRAY, CHAPLAIN. 3RD CLASS. N.Z. FORCES (1916), LESM: REV. A. GRAY, CHAPLAIN. 3RD CLASS. N.Z. FORCES (1917) and the CAD: REV. A. GRAY, C. TO F. 2ND CLASS N.Z. CHAPLAIN’S DEPT 1920

Service File held at Archives New Zealand