Eric Gray
| Born | 27 November 1917, Lerwick |
|---|---|
| Died | 15 November 1977 |
| Provost | Lerwick Town Council 1967–1971 |
| Elections | 7 (7 won) |
| Bayanne | Genealogy page |
Eric Gray was a Lerwick Town Councillor from 1958 to 1975 and a Shetland Islands Councillor. He was a distant relative of Harry Gray who was also the Provost of Lerwick (6th cousin).
Biography
Eric entered the drapery trade in Lerwick at a young age, eventually becoming the proprietor of Smith & Robertson, where he continued to work until illness prevented him in 1977.
He was called to service during WWI with the Royal Armoured Corps and joined the 2nd Battalion Royal Tank REgiment in Egypt. With the 7th Armoured Brigade, he went to Burma, landing at Rangoon as the country was falling to the Japanese army. The army were forced to retreat on foot over the Chin Hills to Assam, and Eric eventually travelled to Iraq, serving in Syria and Palestine before eventually returning to Egypt to take part in the Italian Campaign. He finished the war in Austria and Germany, returning back to Shetland in July 1946.
Political Career
| Year | Election | Council | Votes | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Lerwick Town Council Election May 1958 | Lerwick Town Council | 857 | Elected |
| 1960 | Lerwick Town Council Election May 1960 | Lerwick Town Council | 875 | Elected |
| 1963 | Lerwick Town Council Election May 1963 | Lerwick Town Council | 1,081 | Elected |
| 1966 | Lerwick Town Council Election May 1966 | Lerwick Town Council | Unopposed | Elected |
| 1971 | Lerwick Town Council Election May 1971 | Lerwick Town Council | Unopposed | Elected |
| 1973 | Lerwick Town Council Election May 1973 | Lerwick Town Council | Unopposed | Elected |
| 1974 | Shetland Islands Council Election May 1974 | Shetland Islands Council | 219 | Elected |
