Dunse History Society

 

A Precis of the Obituary of Dr John Gray MD (Late physician to His Majesty's Naval Hospital Haslar) Taken from the annual biography and obituary for the year 1827 vol XI Published by Longman,Rees,Orme,Brown and Green1827​

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Born at Dunse in Berwickshire in 1768, he received a classical education under the celebrated provincial teacherCruikshank. He chose to go into the medical profession and served a short apprenticeship with Mr Thomas Murray the local apothecary, accoucheur, surgeon and physician whilst attending various medical classes at Edinburgh University.After 2 or 3 years he left home for London in November 1788. His intention was to go into the service of the East India Company but became assistant to Mr Morris surgeon in Great Marlborough Street, remaining until 1790 when a dispute with Spain created an opportunity to join His Majesty's Service.

 

Passing an examination for a surgeon’s diploma, he was appointed surgeon’s assistant to the frigate Prosperine, sailing for the West Indies and remaining there until 1791. Upon return Gray was appointed to the frigate Aquilon sailing to Gibraltar. He remained with the Aquilon until Feb 1798 when he was appointed first mate of Romney under RearAdmiral Goodall. When news of war with France arrived, Romney was deployed in patrols.

 

In May ships of Lord Hoods fleet arrived at Gibraltar many of the pressed men were sick and Gray was ordered to assist Dr Barnes surgeon of Gibraltar hospital. Admiral Goodall had transferred to the Princess Royal and Gray was appointed first assistant. Upon Lord Hoods arrival in Victory, they sailed for Toulon. Gray writes in his diary how the British and Spanish fleets anchored off Toulon were an impressive sight of around 70 ships. During this time Gray had charge of the medical department of the Princess Royal which was in almost constant action for about six weeks. As the wounded increased Gray was appointed assistant surgeon to the hospital in Toulon then sent on to Fort Mulgrave before being relieved on 27 Nov.

 

In March 1794 Gray was appointed by Lord Hood as surgeon of the Gorgon but was ordered to officiate as surgeon to the forces on shore at the Siege of Bastin, it was here he became acquainted with the then Captain Horatio Nelson they became warm friends.

 

He sailed to Calvi on the Dolphin laden with shot and shells for the siege, during the siege he was sent for by Mr Jefferson to attend Captain Nelson who had suffered sand being thrown in his face by an enemy ball striking a sandbag, although he found a good deal of inflammation, he was not able to prevent Nelson from returning to his battery. Gray remained on the Dolphin until February 1797 but in the January, decision was made to evacuate the garrison at Elba for Lisbon so the Dolphin sailed with ships under Commodore Nelson, upon sighting the Spanish and knowing there would be a battle the Dolphin was immediately dispatched to Lisbon to prepare a hospital. Sir John Jervis appointed Gray surgeon of the Naval Hospital Lisbon where he remained for 18 months when he was then appointed by his friend Earl St Vincent to the Naval Hospital Gibraltar where he remained until the truce of Amiens.

 

Gray returned to England in 1802 visiting his father and hometown passing the winter in Edinburgh to attend medical classes to ascertain what was new and prepare himself for a doctor’s degree.

 

With war being declared in 1803, Gray returned to London and was appointed surgeon to the Naval Hospital Malta. In May 1804 he sailed with Dr Snipe to Messina to help secure a government contract for lemon juice. Gray remained in Malta until August 1804 whereupon finding his health deteriorating, he wrote to Lord Nelson requesting permission to return to England. His Lordship reluctantly granted this and he left on the Bittern and sailed to Trieste where he decidedto try the effect of a land tour through Europe to restore his health and arrived back in England on the 12 April. Hisfriend Dr Snipe had returned to England in very poor health an died in the August. A few weeks after, Lord Nelson came to London and met with Mr Gray in St James Street as he was on his way to the Admiralty. "Oh Gray it is just you whomI wanted to see, will you go with me and be my physician?" " With all my heart my Lord" said Mr Gray "well come withme to the admiralty and it shall be done" As they walked, his Lordship was recognised and almost everybody they mettook off their hats or made way for them. Lord Nelson was most touched by this. He said "Gray, what do they mean bythis? You know I have not met with the French" " Yes, my Lord" said Gray, "But they know that you have met with them before, and they have no doubt but that you will meet with them again."

 

On 9th September Gray received his appointment as physician to the Mediterranean fleet and Inspector of all the naval hospitals within the limits of that command. Dr Gray (for he now assumed the tittle as he had had his diploma for sometime now) suggested to Lord Nelson that as a battle would soon be inevitable the advantages of a regular hospital ship for the wounded. Lord Nelson approved and stated Dr Gray’s wishes to the Admiralty and the Jupiter a 50 gun ship was ordered to be got ready. Lord Nelson sailed from Portsmouth, and Dr Gray set out to Plymouth to look after the Jupiter. He found the Jupiter in dock and in such a state it would not be ready before Christmas. Dr Gray was extremely anxiousand his friend Sir John T Duckworth suggested he sailed with him and as he would pass near Nelsons fleet he would ind a way of enabling him to join Lord Nelson.

 

They sailed on the 2nd November on the Superb. The following day they met the schooner Pickle which gave them news of the battle. They found Admiral Lewis cruising with part of the fleet off Cadiz. Dr Gray was sent forward in the sloop Martin to Gibraltar to join Lord Collingwood. Lord Collingwood desired Dr Gray to take up residence in the naval hospital where he found a great number of wounded from the Battle of Trafalgar, afterwards he inspected the various hospitals in the Mediterranean. After four years service as a physician to the Mediterranean fleet and inspector of hospitals Dr Gray obtained leave of absence and returned to England in 1809 aboard Formidable.

 

Dr Gray enjoyed the friendship of Lord Collingwood and acts of kindness, he was frequently obliged to pass in a boat from the Admiral’s ship to inspect other ships, Dr Gray disliked this means of conveyance particularly when travelling against the wind. On these occasions his Lordship would look out for his return and order the ship forward to meet him. Another occasion was over the barometer. Dr Gray was interested in meteorology and kept a regular weather register; his Lordship was sceptical and used to banter with him. On one occasion alarmed at how much the mercury had fallen he expressed his anxiety, Lord Collingwood smiled but Dr Gray urged that this was more than normal and he had no doubt there would be bad weather before midnight. Lord Collingwood said we shall put you to the test. A signal was sent to the fleet to prepare for bad weather. One captain later told Dr Gray they were all at a loss as to what to make of such an order as the afternoon was so fine, however before midnight they all acknowledged the wise foresight for it blew a hurricane for several hours.

 

Dr Gray did not return to the Mediterranean fleet as in April he was appointed second physician at Haslar. On 11th May Gray was recalled to London to assist in conducting his friend, Lord Collingwood’s remains to St Paul's.On the return of peace, the decision was made to have only one physician at Haslar. Dr Gray retired on half pay at the beginning of 1816 and in 1817 he went on a tour of Switzerland.In the Autumn of 1818, he accompanied his friend Earl St Vincent to pass the winter in the South of France, returning to England the following April he was reappointed as Physician at Haslar. He remained there until June 1821 were owing to his health and with leave from the Admiralty Dr Gray retired.

 

He intended to tour France and Italy to repair his health however on the 13 August he suffered a stroke that left him paralysed in the right arm and leg although he slowly made improvement, he was mostly housebound. At the beginning of 1826, he worsened and passed away on the 24th of March 1826. Having never married, he left an annuity to his faithful housekeeper to keep her comfortable for life. He desired his brother to point out anything fit for charity that he might give to those in need and at his brother’s suggestion he ordered a weekly distribution of bread among some of the aged poor in his native town.

 

He was buried according to his wishes in St Johns Wood Burying Ground.

 

Precis compiled by G Palmer, whose Grandmother Mrs Muriel McBain (nee Wilson, daughter of Dr George Wilson also of Duns) was Great, Great, Great, Great Grand Uncle was Dr John Gray.