William Henry Raynor 1911 - 1986 - Walkley Sheffield

I came across this person purely by chance. A series of photographs were listed for sale on a well-known global website. The person who was selling the photographs also gave a brief summary of the person's life up until 1946. I have added sentences and sections in italics where additional information has come to light     

"Photo from an Album by soldier 4744350 Lance Corporal W.H Raynor, Duke of Wellington Regiment.

William Henry Raynor, a Sheffield man was born in 1911 and started his working life as a labourer. Mr Raynor initially enlisted in The Yorks and Lancs TA in November 1930, he enlisted as a regular in The Duke of Wellingtons on 11th February 1931, serving first in India until 1938 Mr Raynor joined the BEF on 24th September 1939, being evacuated on 1st June 1940 from Dunkirk. 

Baptism record - RAYNOR, William Henry (of 20 Elton Street, born 1911-07-08). Baptised July 26, 1911, by ~ at St Mary, Walkley. Parents name (s) are Mary & Ernest (Spring Knife Cutler). Godparents: ~ :Page No 263 :Reg No ~



1939 National Register

Name: Ernest Raynor
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Birth Date: 18 Dec 1886
Residence Date: 1939
Address: 24 Elton Street Residence Place: Sheffield, Yorkshire (West Riding), England
Occupation: Cutler
Line Number: 38 Schedule Number: 211 Sub Schedule Number: 1 Enumeration District: Kife Borough: SheffieldRegistration district: 510/2
Inferred Spouse: Mary Raynor
Household Members (Name) Age
Ernest Raynor 53
Mary Raynor 49

 

He returned to India in September 1941 and was taken prisoner by the Japanese in Burma in February 1942 probably at the battle of Sittang Bridge. The Dukes at this time were associated with the Chindits. Surviving for over three years before release in June 1945, being discharged on the ground of ill health and fitness in March 1946 giving a total service of 15 years 29 day



WO 345 Japanese Index Cards of Allied POWs 1942-1947
42: Japanese Index Cards of Allied Prisoners of War and Internees, World War II: Pragnell-Rayson 

 

RAYNOR, William Henry (Bachelor, age 41, Plate Layer, residing at 24 Elton St). Married Margaret WINGFIELD, on February 28, 1953, by G H G Hewitt Officiating Minister (Banns) at St Mary, Walkley. Father's name is Ernest Raynor,deceased (Cutler). Married in the presence of R A Hopkinson,C Raynor. Page No: 140 Reg No: 279 Marriages Mar 1953 RAYNOR William H WINGFIELD Sheffield Volume 2d Page 361 

Burial Record


RAYNOR, Ernest (Grinder, age 65). Died at 24 Elton Street; Buried on February 6, 1952 in Unconsecrated ground; Grave Number 5463, Section G of Crookes Cemetery, Sheffield. Plot Owner: of ~. Page No 188
RAYNOR, Mary (Widow, age 71). Died at Royal Hospital; Buried on November 15, 1961 in Unconsecrated ground; Grave Number 5463, Section G of Crookes Cemetery, Sheffield. Plot Owner: of . Page No 314

Deaths Dec 1981 RAYNOR MARGARET 29AP1923 SHEFFIELD 3 1935

Deaths 1986 RAYNOR WILLIAM HENRY 8 JULY 1911 SHEFFIELD VOLUME 3 PAGE 1738 

The photographs were not labeled and so I assume that the person in the above two photographs are William Henry. His parents lived for most of their life at Elton Street in Walkley Sheffield and so there is a fair chance that the two photographs were taken at that address. There are a few more photographs of women and children and one or more of these may well be his wife Margaret but I cannot be sure. As far as I can ascertain the couple had no children.  

Sources

Sheffield Indexers

UK Census

WO 345 Japanese Index Cards of Allied POWs 1942-1947 42: Japanese Index Cards of Allied Prisoners of War and Internees, World War II: Pragnell-Rayson 

Free BMD

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This page was last updated on 25/12/22 08:10