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Peter Gray R.I.P.


Richard Farrant

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Earlier today, Peter Gray, the founder of the Military Vehicle Conservation Group (later known as MVT) passed away in France.

There is an obituary from his friend Nigel Hay, on Milweb, see link http://www.milweb.net/webvert/78611

 

There is no doubt at all that Peter was very instrumental in getting the preserved military vehicle movement going in the UK, and further afield. Having been a member of the club since around 1978, I remember Peter well. I was pleased as punch to receive a tankard from him for best motorcycle at an event in my first show season.

 

Peter, rest in peace, you started the ball rolling and we are all the better for it, as it has opened many of our lives up to what is now a worldwide interest.

 

Richard Farrant

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Sad news indeed.

As a mad keen 15 year old I first met Peter at a John Carter Shotersbrooke show in 1972 just after he had come out of the arena with his Hell on Wheels display team and I was signed up there and then to the MVCG.

 

In those early days trips to Tarring Road in Worthing where Peter had his motor bike business to buy jeep spares was always a much looked forward to event and then there were the tours that Peter organised and these were instrumental in encouraging people to become interested in the movement and legitimized the collecting of military vehicles.

 

Without doubt the MV world past and present owes a huge debt to Peter Gray he was responsible for opening a world to me that has produced a life time of adventures, vehicles, friends and memories.

 

RIP Peter 'We know who you are'

 

Pete

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Sad news indeed, and a great loss, I only met Peter once (1970 ish) at his Shoreham workshop, fascinated as he was reproducing Jeep panels by hand, we were into Choppers back then and a friend of mine bought Peters old knuckle head suicide clutch drag racing Harley and ran it at Santa Pod, he still has it, but it's morphed into street legal form now.

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I Knew peter quite well. & my first visit to his 'Motor Pool' in Worthing. Was the kick start I experienced that got Me into The Military Vehicle Movement!

 

Through his knowledge, I acquired all I needed to purchase my very first vehicle. A Willy's Jeep. And I never looked back from then!

 

It advanced to Armour & Towed Artillery that I owned. This alongside my Hobby of Militaria collecting. Only served to complement each sector of the Collection!

 

Peter I KNOW, was a similar inspiration to MANY of us here. Alongside the like's of Joe Lyndhurst, true visionaries of their Time. And if not for him & People like Joe. I would say, a LOT of us here, probably might not have slotted into the Field on Mil Vehicle Ownership. At the time when we did!

 

We owe a great deal to Peter, & other Founding Enthusiasts like Him! R.I.P Peter, in the Great Motor pool in the Sky! ;)

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Very sad news...a giant and a true inspirer of others has gone :(

... I remember getting proper worked up many years ago when I was told by an old business mate of my Grandads that he was buying an M10 from Pounds of Portsmouth ..........that immediately gave him God like status in the world of preservation as far as I was concerned . RIP

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R.I.P Peter. As an 18YO, I met Peter in July 1977 or should I say I just arrived unannounced on his doorstep in Worthing and said G'day. I was in Portsmith on HMAS Melbourne for the Queens Sliver Jubilee Spithead Review and decided to travel out to Worthing for weekend leave as I had heard from Jeep friends back in Oz that if I wanted to see some MVs in England, I should catch up with a fellow going by the name of Peter Gray. BTW just before we sailed for the Uk I had only just purchased my Jeep (which I still have today). Peter invited me to stay for the weekend and extended to me the best of hospitality. Peter showed me his collection of vehicles. I remember seeing a GPA, Halftrack, Jeeps and a Dodge command car. The Jeep and Dodge were at his house and the other vehicles were stored in a shed/warehouse close by. Peter took me on a tour of the local district in his Dodge Command car. That weekend will always be remebered. Thanks Peter.

Cheers

John

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Very sad. As an 18 year old I remember visiting the Motor Pool looking for parts for my Willys MB. He had endless patience to put up with what seems a tiny list of parts limited by my student grant which we then had to drive to one of his garages to get.

He leant me parts to copy as I couldn't afford them and I remember when I needed a new crown wheel and pinion he gave me a WOF axle and said take the parts you need and bring me back the case and diff cover...all for £35!

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For anyone who would like to attend Peter's funeral and pay their respects, here are the details below:

 

PETER GRAY FUNERAL DETAILS = SAT 10th OCTOBER Le Crématorium de Caen

Please arrive for 1115hrs.

Peter’s coffin will be arriving on a Jeep, escorted by some Harley Davidson riders from Caen Harley Davidson dealership. Please wear what you like and anecdotes from the mourners are welcome during the service which will be a celebration of Peter’s life.

 

No flowers please, but we will have a collection for Help For Heroes – a charity dear to PG’s heart.

Le Crématorium de Caen is in Rue de l’Abbaye d’Ardenne, to the west of the centre of Caen in a peaceful setting opposite the Cimetière Parc.

Directions:

Nearest ferry port is Ouistreham (Brittany Ferries) – its about a 15 min drive.

You need to get on the Caen Ring road (Perephique)

Take direction to CHU (that is the Centre Hopital Urgences which is a very tall building you cant miss right on the ring road, ), then take Exit n°7 « Caen-Chemin Vert, Saint Germain la Blanche Herbe ».

At the top of the slip road on the exit of the junction, from there, the crematorium is signposted at all intersections.

GPS Coordinates :

Latitude : 49.191044

Longitude: -0.408227

Crématorium de Caen

Rue de l'Abbaye d'Ardenne

14000 – Caen http://www.crematoriums.fr/etablissements.php?id=9#

Tél : 0033 2 31 73 34 34

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Very sad news, like many here, met Peter in the mid 70's, thinking we were alone with our thoughts on military vehicle preservation and ownership, but all that changed with the formation of the MVCG. What a great guy, will be sadly missed. RIP Peter.

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