George Charles Grey

George Charles Grey (2 December 1918 – 30 July 1944) was Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) for the Berwick-upon-Tweed constituency in England from August

Captain
George Charles Grey
Born 2 December 1918
Died 30 July 1944
Lutain Wood, France
Buried Le Repas (49°05'33.7"N 0°47'02.5"W)
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch Army
Years of service 1938-1944
Rank Captain
Service number 79683
Unit 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards
Second World War Battle of France, Dunkirk Evacuation, Operation Bluecoat
Other work Politician 1941-1944

1941[1] until his death in action in July 1944.[2]

Early Life

George Charles Grey was the son of Major-General Wulff Henry Grey CB, CMG of the Royal Engineers and Alix Grey. His education took in Durnford School at Langton Matravers, Winchester College and, following a year at Berlin University, to Hertford College, Oxford.[3][4]

Politics

He stood unopposed in a by-election triggered by Sir Hugh Michael Seely being elevated to the peerage.[1] He was sworn in at the House of Commons on 9 September 1941.[5]

Grey made his maiden speech there on 17 December 1941 in a debate on 'service pay and dependants' allowances'. He closed his speech with these words -[6]

So I would beg most sincerely that the Government should consider this last point and what should be done for the Forces after the war. If they decide it now and arrange this method, it will help morale considerably, and make soldiers realise that provision is being made not only to win the war but to help them win their peace.

— Captain George Charles Grey, Hansard, 17 December 1941

Between his election and his death, he was the youngest member of the House of Commons, having been elected at the age of 22. Not only was he youngest member of that Parliament, he was the youngest MP of the 20th Century.[3]

Following the death of Grey when he was killed in action with his regiment in France, William Beveridge retained Berwick for the Liberals in the subsequent by-election.[7]

His death was noted by the House when Speaker of the Commons, Douglas Clifton Brown informed the Members. His words were recorded in Hansard -[8]

I regret to have to inform the House of the death, in action, of Captain George Charles Grey, Member for the County of Northumberland (Berwick-upon-Tweed Division), and I desire on behalf of the House to express our sense of the loss we have sustained and our sympathy with the relatives of the honourable Member.

— Douglas Clifton Brown, Hansard, 26 September 1944

Military Career

In 1938, Grey joined the Grenadier Guards Supplementary Reserve of Officers. He served with the regiment during the Battle of France and participated in the Dunkirk Evacuation.[4][9]

A captain in the 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards, he was participating in Operation Bluecoat when he was killed by a sniper as his tank was hit advancing through Lutain Wood.[10][2]

He was buried on the battlefield by his men, on the site of which his family later erected a memorial. The residents of Le Repas and Captain Grey's family were 'emphatic in their desire' for the grave to remain in place. The stone for the cross came from the Houses of Parliament in London. The site is now recognised as a war grave, designated the Livry (Le Repas) Isolated Grave.[2][10][3]

A memorial service was held at St. Margaret's, Westminster on 27 September 1944.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 "News in Brief". The Times (49008). 19 August 1941. p. 2.
  2. 1 2 3 "Casualty". www.cwgc.org. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  3. 1 2 3 "Grey, George Charles : Winchester College at War". www.winchestercollegeatwar.com. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  4. 1 2 "Deaths". The Times (49931). 10 August 1944. p. 7.
  5. ↑ "NEW MEMBER SWORN. (Hansard, 9 September 1941)". api.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  6. ↑ "SERVICE PAY AND DEPENDANTS' ALLOWANCES. (Hansard, 17 December 1941)". api.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  7. ↑ "Member elected to serve in the present Parliament". London Gazette (36757). 20 October 1944. p. 4817.
  8. ↑ "DEATH OF A MEMBER (Hansard, 26 September 1944)". api.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  9. ↑ "Supplementary Reserve of Officers". London Gazette (34584). p. 8307.
  10. 1 2 "Cemetery". www.cwgc.org. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  11. ↑ "Court Circular". The Times (49963). 23 September 1944. p. 7.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Sir Hugh Michael Seely		 MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed
1941–1944		 Succeeded by
William Beveridge
Preceded by
John Profumo		 Baby of the House
1941–1944		 Succeeded by
John Profumo


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