Charles Joseph Gerald Raynor
From Our Contribution
 Western Mail 17 Nov 1916 p.23 | |
 section of 51st Bn tablet at Villers-Bretonneux | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown |
| Place of Birth | Carlton, Victoria |
| Death | 3 Sep 1915 |
| Place of Death | Mouquet Farm, Poziéres, France |
| Age at Enlistment | 22 years, 9 months |
| Description | 5' 6½" (1.66m) tall; fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair. |
| Occupation | farmer |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | NOK 'Charlesville', Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr Harold George Raynor |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 2780A |
| Date of Enlistment | 19 Aug 1915 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 6th reinforcements, transferred to 51st Battalion / 13th Brigade, 4th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 2 Nov 1915 - 26 Nov 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A38 Ulysses |
| Fate | Misssing in Action 3 Sep 1916, later declared Killed in Action. |
| Monument | none presently |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
War Service
Several months after entering Blackboy Hill camp, Charles was allocated to the 6th Reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion. He travelled with them to Egypt, and on arrival was sent to the 7th Training Battalion at Zeitoun for further training.
With the reorganisation of the Army, he was allotted to the newly formed 51st Battalion, joining it on 3 Mar 1916 at Tel-el-Kebir. He travelled with the battalion on the HMT Ivernia from Alexandria to Marseilles arriving there on 12 Jun 1916.
On 3 Sep 1916 near Mouquet Farm he was posted as Missing. On 30 Jul 1917 a Court of Enquiry judged that he had been Killed In Action, one of 11,000 Australian casualties suffered while trying to capture this strong point in the German line.
During the attack that Robert participated in (the Ninth and final Australian attack) the farm was taken, but later lost again following an intense German bombardment on the farm itself. As no body was found or identified, we might assume that Robert was impacted by the artillery barrage, either to cause his death, or following it.
The Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux records: "RAYNOR, Pte. Charles Joseph Gerald, 2780A. 51st Bn. 3rd Sept., 1916. Age 23. Son of Harold George and Catherine Raynor of "Charleville", Kelmscott, Western Australia. Born in Melbourne.
A farmer when he transferred from the Militia to the AIF, he changed his NOK to Mother (Dumbleyung). Also had a brother William Harold who used a Dumbleyung address.
Gratuity payment 40/- per fortnight to his mother Catherine from 7 Dec 1916.
Notes
Parents lived in Kelmscott