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News > Archive News > Obituaries > David Francis Gray OB (1945 - 1949)

David Francis Gray OB (1945 - 1949)

David Gray entered Bilton Grange on VE Day 1945, having previously been at Homefield School. 

From the first day, he embraced the spirit of the School and took part in most activities, excelling on the sports field, where he captained both the Rugger XV and Hockey XI. Bilton Grange made a big impression on David and he later served as a Governor for thirty-five years. 

Leaving Bilton in 1949, he gained a minor foundationship to Rugby, where he represented the School in both the above games. By now he had decided on a legal career and going up to Trinity College, Oxford, he read law, besides playing Hockey for the Oxford Occasionals and getting around in a 1928 Austin Seven. 

After Oxford, he moved to London, where he was admitted a solicitor in 1960. His career advanced when he joined the City law firm of Lovell, White & King, becoming a partner in 1966, the youngest ever partner at the firm. Playing an active role in a number of legal organisations in the City, he was elected Master of the City of London Solicitors’ Company in 1984-85. He also served as assistant treasurer of the International Bar Association and trustee of their Educational Trust as well as holding other managerial positions connected with the legal world. He retired in 1993. His interests were not confined to the law and for many years he was also a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers. 

Apart from his involvement as a governor of Bilton Grange, he was also a trustee of Trinity College, Oxford Society and honorary secretary for almost ten years, reflecting how much he had enjoyed his time at both places and his wish to give something back to them. 

David believed in physical exercise from an early age, and for many years was a keen cross- country skier. After giving up Hockey, he had a go at water-skiing, before becoming a keen golfer, a game which he pursued with great enthusiasm. He also kept fit with long walks and swimming. 

David enjoyed a wide circle of friends, some of them going back to his contemporaries at Bilton. At the time of his death at Chichester on October 3rd 2018, David Gray was eighty-two years of age (1936—2018). He left two sons and a daughter.

C.J. Gray (OB 1947 - 52), brother.

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