VIDEO: Parade to remember '˜the rebel' Peter in Ashington

His friends knew him as the original rebel, the man who was hunted by the Nazis as a teenager and became an inspiration to thousands of enthusiasts and celebrity fans.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Jan 2016, 15:34 BST
Updated 25th Jan 2016, 13:49 BST

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Military parade for Peter Gray. Photo by Eddie Mitchell SUS-160124-131741001Military parade for Peter Gray. Photo by Eddie Mitchell SUS-160124-131741001
Military parade for Peter Gray. Photo by Eddie Mitchell SUS-160124-131741001

Friends of Peter Gray gathered in Ashington yesterday (Saturday, January 23) to remember the man who was the driving force behind military vehicle conservation around the world.

After escaping the Nazis occupiers on his native Jersey aged just 15, Peter Gray moved to Sussex.

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Wanted posters for the man they called The Rebel were posted around the Channel Islands.

Military parade for Peter Gray. Photo by Eddie Mitchell SUS-160124-131741001Military parade for Peter Gray. Photo by Eddie Mitchell SUS-160124-131741001
Military parade for Peter Gray. Photo by Eddie Mitchell SUS-160124-131741001

His passion for military vehicles led him to start restoring the trucks and tanks used by the Allies in the invasion of France.

His friend Robert Harris said: “He was the original rebel.

“He had fans everywhere.

“Roy Orbison was a regular customer and visitor to his workshop.”

Peter Gray before his death in November. Photo by Eddie Mitchell SUS-160124-131708001Peter Gray before his death in November. Photo by Eddie Mitchell SUS-160124-131708001
Peter Gray before his death in November. Photo by Eddie Mitchell SUS-160124-131708001

Friends and fans gathered in Ashington to parade through the town in remembrance of Peter Gray who died in France last year aged 87.

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“He retired to France where he lived in his own disused train station and he even ran his own railway,” Mr Harris.

“He was an amazing man.”

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Military parade for Peter Gray. Photo by Eddie Mitchell SUS-160124-131730001Military parade for Peter Gray. Photo by Eddie Mitchell SUS-160124-131730001
Military parade for Peter Gray. Photo by Eddie Mitchell SUS-160124-131730001

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Military parade for Peter Gray. Photo by Eddie Mitchell SUS-160124-131718001Military parade for Peter Gray. Photo by Eddie Mitchell SUS-160124-131718001
Military parade for Peter Gray. Photo by Eddie Mitchell SUS-160124-131718001

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Related topics:FranceAshingtonJersey