John Raynes
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was born in 1881 the adopted son of George a farmer and Fanny Culley of Laburnham Farm, Everton. In 1901 he lived with Robert Hutton a farmer and butcher in Everton. In 1911 he lived with Sarah Gaunt on Hope Street Stockbridge (near Sheffield). He was the husband of Frances (née Swallow) Raynes who he married in 1913 in Wortley. They lived at 'Orchard View' Everton Doncaster. He was the father of George Raynes who was born in 1915.
He was killed when a shell exploded in his trench on 12th June 1917. Messines Ridge British Cemetery Belgium Grave Reference: III E 11
Pte J Raynes Northumberland Fusiliers - Retford Times 2nd November 1917 Everton Soldier Killed Mrs Raynes has received official information that her husband Private J Raynes, Northumberland Fusiliers, was killed in action on June 12th. He was the adopted son of Mr and Mrs G Culley, Laburnham Farm, Everton. he leaves a widow and child who reside with Mr and Mrs Culley . he was for ten years butcher at the Stockbridge Co-Operative Society. His platoon commander writes:- Your husband was a rifle grenadier in my platoon. After the attack on Whytschante the battalion relieved the troops in the front line beyond Whytschante . The trenches we went into had been very hastily dug by the attacking troops, and there was no shelter or dug outs to take cover in. We were under very heavy shellfire the whole time, and it frequently became most intense. During one of these intense bombardments on June 12th a shell exploded on the back of the trench, and your husband was instantly killed by a piece of shrapnel. Your husband was buried quite close to where he fell, and before we came out of the trenches a cross was made and erected over his grave, with his name and regiment on. The officers and men of this company deeply regret the loss of such a gallant soldier, and sympathise with you in your bereavement.
