RAYNER, Walter Thomas
| Service Number: | 1801 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 May 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 10th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Bowden, South Australia, 1 January 1890 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | 1 January 1967, aged 77 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Cheltenham Cemetery, South Australia Drive B, Path 7 Site 37 |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Apr 1915: | Involvement Private, 1801, 10th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Lincoln embarkation_ship_number: A17 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr 1915: | Embarked Private, 1801, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Port Lincoln, Adelaide | |
| 1 May 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, 10th Infantry Battalion | |
| 25 Jun 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, 10th Infantry Battalion | |
| Date unknown: | Wounded 1801, 10th Infantry Battalion |
Help us honour Walter Thomas Rayner's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Kathleen Bambridge
General Birdwood from Englanf who was on a visit to Adelaide awarded his Military Medal on the 6 March 1920.
Biography contributed by Paul Lemar
Walter Thomas RAYNER was born on 29.06.1890 to Thomas and Margaret Elizabeth RAYNER (nee Ryan). His father Thomas RAYNER had married Margaret Elizabeth RYAN at Hindmarsh on 01.09.1886.
His father Thomas died on 17.01.1895 when he was only 5 years old.
Walter RAYNER joined the AIF at Oaklands, SA on 05 January 1915. He was given army reg. no. 1801 and assigned to the 4th reinforcements, 10 Infantry.
Walter was stationed at Morphettville prior to be sent overseas and arrived at Gallipoli on 30.05.1915. He was admitted to hospital at Gallipoli with illness (jaundice) on a number of occasions. He was sent to hospital in Egypt on 29.11.1915 (which would have been prior to the evacuation)
Interestingly, his mother sent a letter of complaint to the AIF that her son did not appear to be receiving any mail from her despite writing many letters. Her complaint letters were replied to.
There is a Red Cross letter form C (quite indecipherable) but states his sister is a Mrs. Amelia May MURPHY. This letter appears to be in relation to the mail problem complained about.
On 03.04.1916, he arrived in France and returned to his company.
On 16.01.1917, he was appointed a ‘driver’.
On 16.09.17, he was in a field hospital sick although the entry also mentions wounds. He re-joined the battalion.
On 28.12.1918, he left France for England then returned to Australia on 09.03.1919.
He was discharged from the AIF on 25.06.1919.
There is no record of him ever receiving a pension for war service.
On 20.01.1920, RAYNER was advised by letter that pursuant to the London Gazette of 20.08.1919 (second supplement No. 31512_ and promulgated in the Commonwealth Gazette No. 135 dated 11.12.1919, that he had been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. The letter was sent to Mrs. M.RAYNER, Gibson St, Bowden SA.
The citation read:
‘1801 Driver Walter RAYNER – for conspicuous devotion to duty during the period 16/17 September to 11 November 1918. A transport driver worthy of distinction to duty. He again and again took pack animals forward in face of heavy shell fire stimulating his comrades by his cheerful and untiring work. He was indefatigable. An excellent horseman with an excellent record.” Signed T.W.Glasgow, Major General Commanding 1st Australian Division.
966 members of the 10th Battalion died in World War 1.
WORLD WAR 2. Walter RAYNER re-joined the AIF in WW2.
RAYNER WALTER THOMAS : Service Number - S212752 : Date of birth - 29 Jun 1889 : Place of birth - BOWDEN SA : Place of enlistment - KESWICK SA : Next of Kin - RAYNER EMMA
Walter died on 30.08.1967 aged 77 years at Woodville. Both he and his wife Emma were residing at Port Adelaide in the 1960’s.