Name
Charlie Rayner
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/08/1917
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
18263
Bedfordshire Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT CEMETERY
XLVI. A. 2.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St Mary the Virgin Church, Therfield, Non-conformist Chapel, Therfield
Pre War
Born on 16 Mar 1894 in Therfield, Herts. son of Henry George and Mary Esther (Hagger) Rayner, of George's Yard. He was baptised on 22 Jul 1894 in Therfield.
1901 census details
The family was living in Georges Yard, Therfield where Henry 43, and Mary (nee Hagger) had 5 children still living at home. They were Henry 20, George 11, Emily 9, Charles 7, Ethel 3 and a boarder, Esther Wills 83.
1911 census details
Mother Mary died in 1909 so Henry, a widower now had Henry John 30, Winifred Rebecca 29, ( returned home to care for family after mother’s death ?) George 22, Emily 20, Charlie 17 an under cowman, Ethel May 14 and Frederick 9 still at home.
Wartime Service
Charles enlisted in Hitchin in the 7th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment (the Shiny Seventh) with the number 18263. After training he went over to France according to his medals card on July 26th 1915. Because his service records have not survived we cannot be too sure of his details but the War Diaries of the Bedfordshire regiment tell us that :
"The 7th Battalion was formed at Bedford in September 1914, as part of 'K2' - Lord Kitcheners 2nd call to arms for another 100,000 men to leave their civilian lives and enlist into the rapidly expanding British Army. Following the transfer of 1,000 Officers and men from the 6th (Service) Battalion, the newly formed 7th Battalion of the Second New Army were attached to the 15th (Scottish) Division whilst training. On 25th February 1915, the Battalion were moved into the 54th Brigade of the 18th (Eastern) Division, where they remained until merged with the 2nd Battalion in May 1918.
The 7th battalion served entirely in France and Flanders between their arrival in July 1915 and their disbandment in May 1918. The battalion won a well deserved reputation and served with distinction, winning numerous gallantry medals - including two Victoria Crosses - and were involved in major battles every year of their service. There are few examples of them not taking a position when attacking, or allowing enemy attacks to beat them back, as the entire Division won a reputation as one of the British Army's best units."
The battalion moved around during their first months in France ending up down on the Somme at Christmas time. They had a football match on Christmas Day and were ‘bathed’ on Boxing Day.
During these early months they were constantly training, marching, digging trenches and experiencing a great deal of enemy activity.
"In 1916, the battalion was heavily engaged during The Battles of the Somme 1916, specifically at the Battle of Albert (including the storming of the Pommiers Redoubt on the 1st July 1916), the Battle of Bazentin (when the Division captured Trones Wood 14th July 1916), the Battle of Thiepval in September (including the storming of the northern section of Thiepval village and teh front face of the Schwaben Redoubt on the 28th and 29th September 1916). The battalion were also involved during the Battle of the Ancre in November, albeit in a supporting role.
In 1917 they were again heavily engaged all year. The first operations were during the Operations on the Ancre, including the Actions of Miraumont in February and the Capture or Irles (on the Loupart Line) in March. Next, they were engaged in following up the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in March, including the storming of Achiet-le-Grand between the 15th and 20th March 1917. In May they were also engaged in the Battle of Arras, namely at the Third Battle of the Scarpe. The final battle of 1917 was to be the Battles of Ypres 1917 (also called the Third Battle of Ypres, or Passchendaele), specifically in the Capture of Westhoek in August, the First Battle of Passchendaele in October."
Charles died of wounds received in battle on August 16th 1917 during the infamous Passchendaele battle. There is some suggestion of soldiers being killed on 16th by ‘friendly fire’:
August 1917:
"7th (S) Bn Bedfordshire Regt. 7-8-17 Information
1. The II Corps will capture and hold at an early date INVERNESS COPSE, GLENCORSE WOOD and the Southern end of WESTHOEK RIDGE. 2. "Z" day and "Zero" hour will be notified later.3. The attack will be carried out by the 18th Division on the right, 25th Division on the left, 7th Brigade will attack on our left. 4. The 54th Brigade will attack on a two Battalion and the 55th Brigade on a one Battalion frontage. 5. The 11th Royal Fusiliers will form the right assaulting Battalion and will form up on a general line J14.c.1.5.55 - J14.a.0.0. - J13.b.9.3. They will fight their way through to the final objective, consolidate and hold it. Instructions 6. The Battalion (7th Bedfords) will form up along a line J.13.b.9.3. J.7.d.95.15. road exclusive and fight their way to final objective, consolidate and hold it. 7. Disposition of Companies "C" Coy. will be the right assaulting Company. "B" Coy. will be the left assaulting Company. "A" Coy. will be in Support. "D" Coy Reserve Company. 8. Dividing Line The approximate dividing line between Fusiliers and Bedfords is J.13.b.9.3 - J.14.a.90.55 - J.14.b.65.65. 9. Mopping Up One Company Northants will be attached to the Battalion for Mopping Up, this Company will not proceed beyond the road running from J.9.c.6.2 through J.8.c.7.1 Companies Wilden ldo their own mopping up after crossing this road Task of Assaulting Coys The two assaulting Coys ("C" & "B") will fight their way through to the final objective (YELLOW LINE) consolidate and hold it. "A" COMPANY will follow in close support to the assaulting Companies ready to give them any assistance to gain their final objective. This Company must lose no opportunity to push the assault forward until the final objective (YELLOW LINE) is reached. If the assaulting Companies are not held up or checked, the Company will follow them, fighting in close support and be ready to render them any assistance on the YELLOW LINE, they may require - they will also act as counter-attack Company should the necessity arise. After the YELLOW LINE has been gained and all is quiet, this Company should be tucked away in close support to the front line. "D" COMPANY will be in Reserve and will move up as the attack goes forward to a position in JARGON TRENCH, ready to render any assistance that may be required, should the situation become critical they will support the front line Companies in such a manner that no ground that has been once gained is lost. If the attack is successful orders will be sent to this Company from the Battalion Commander, but this does not prevent the Company Commander from issuing his own instructions to prevent any ground being given up after once it has been gained. MACHINE GUNS Two Machine Guns will be attached to the Battalion, these Guns will move forward with the Reserve Coy ("D" Coy) until the objective is gained, they will then be placed in position in Strong Points 4 and 5. FORMING UP The lines for forming up will be marked out by Y-Z night with telephone wire and tape in accordance with verbal instructions given to all concerned. THE ADVANCE The signal for the advance will be the opening of the Shrapnel Barrage when Bayonets will be fixed and the attack carried out. DRESS Fighting Order plus one day's rations including the Iron Rations). RIFLEMEN: 170 rds S.A.A. BOMBERS: 5 No.5's, 120 rds S.A.A. RIFLE BOMBERS: 5 No.23, 120 rds S.A.A. MOPPERS UP: 5 No.23's or 5 No.5's, 120 rds S.A.A. All Other ranks will carry their usual complement. EXPLOITING SUCCESS After reaching the objectives on the YELLOW LINE patrols will be pushed out to reconnoitre the S.W. portion of NONNE-BOSSCHEN from about the Western end of the Track running through the SCH in BOSSCHEN to the track running along the southern border of the wood NONNE-BOSSCHEN - this will be carried out in conjunction with similar patrols of the 11th Royal Fusiliers. WATER All Water Bottles must as far as possible be kept filled. PRISONERS Brigade collecting points at J.13.a.9.13 LIASON Lt.H.B.Stewart [Hew Bertram STEWART, MC] will act as Liaison Officer between Bn. Headquarters and the 8th Loyal North Lancs on our left. (SGD) J.H.BRIDCUTT [John Henry BRIDCUTT, DSO] MAJOR COMDG. 7TH BN. BEDFORD REGT."
He is buried in the huge Tyne Cot Cemetery alongside nearly 12,000 others. He lies in area XLV1 row A, grave 2.
Acknowledgments
Malcolm Lennox, Jean Handley
