George Kruger-Gray

George Kruger Gray (25 December 1880 – 2 May 1943) was an English artist, best remembered for his designs of coinage and stained glass windows.

He received his tertiary education at the Bath School of Art (today Bath School of Art and Design a department of Bath Spa University). There he won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art in London from which he graduated with the Diploma in Design in his birth name George Edward Kruger.

During the First World War, George Kruger served with the Artists Rifles and a camouflage unit of the Royal Engineers. Here he was hiding military items, and made dummy objects to irritate enemy forces.

In 1918, after his marriage to (Frances) Audrey Gordon Gray, he changed his name to George Kruger Gray.

After the war, he carried on with his career as an artist. In 1923, he exhibited his numismatic works at the Royal Academy of Arts. He won a great reputation and orders to design the coinage for Great Britain.

In 1938, he became a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)

He specialized not only in the design of numismatic items. He also designed and made lead-glass windows for churches, universities etc. He illustrated books, and made posters and cartoons.

George Edward Kruger Gray died in Chichester, West Sussex, on 2 May 1943.

Kruger Gray was a well known artisan of his time, and produced a number of coats of arms, including the version used by The University of Western Australia from 1929 to 1963. He also designed the Flag of the Colony of Aden.

He also designed what became an important distinction given to the Royal Naval Patrol Service in the form of an exclusive silver badge. Officers and men of the Patrol Service were awarded this badge after a total of six months service at sea. It could also be awarded beforehand to those showing worthy conduct while engaged in action.

Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, 1939 wrote in the following minute:

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