Background
Willoughby Gray was born in London, his mother Mary Henderson had married John Gray, who was killed in action in Iraq soon after his birth. (Though several sources suggest he was born in Aberdeen, Scotland).
Willoughby Gray was born in London, his mother Mary Henderson had married John Gray, who was killed in action in Iraq soon after his birth. (Though several sources suggest he was born in Aberdeen, Scotland).
In 1918 Mary re married and Willoughby became the stepson of Lieutenant General Henry Pownall. Gray served with distinction during the Second World War with GHQ Liaison Regiment (Phantom). Foreign most of the campaign in Europe he commanded a patrol with 11th Armoured Division.
Foreign his gallant and distinguished services in the North West Europe campaign, he was appointed Administration Member of the Order of the British Empire. His recommendation reads: "Captain Gray has commanded a divisional patrol with outstanding success throughout the campaign.
The resource and initiative shown by him at all times has resulted in a great deal of vital information reaching Army and Corps Headquarters much more quickly than would otherwise have been the case, In addition, he has shown great enterprise and complete disregard for his own personal safety on many occasions, notably whilst carrying out reconnaissances in the Antwerp area during the advance through Belgium. The bearing of this officer under arduous conditions and his cheerfulness and willingness to do any work delegated to him unhesitatingly have been an example to those with whom he came in contact." He also appeared in similar television shows such as The Buccaneers and The Adventures of William Tell.
He appeared as "Pete" in Harold Pinter"s The Birthday Party on its very first run in 1958, this being just one of countless stage performances he made. Though over-shadowed by his stage career, Gray made a handful of incredibly popular films, notably as a priest in Laurence Olivier"s film,,,, the James Bond film as retired Nazi doctor and Max Zorin (Christopher Walken) henchman Karl Mortner/Hans Glaub, and as the elderly and kind king in.
In the late 1980s, he appeared in the British Broadcasting Corporation drama Howards" Way as banker Sir John Stevens.
In Sergei Bondarchuk"s 1970 film Waterloo, he is credited as both an actor (playing Captain Ramsey) and a military consultant. Gray died aged 76 in February 1993.