Thomas Oliver Raynor

26113 Private Thomas Oliver, aged 23 years 11 months, enlisted on 15 May 1915 and posted to 16th battalion Sherwood Foresters (Chatsworth Rifles) (Nott's and Derby Regiment - The battalion moved to France on 6 March 1916 and on 9th October 1916 took part in a surprise attack on Schwaben Redoubt Thiepval. They moved off at 4.30 am and when half way across No Man's Land came under heavy enemy machine gun fire. The right company ( 'B') got into the enemy trenches but were eventually forced out again. 'C' Company was held up by the wire and 'D' company by heavy machine gun fire. After 2 hours the attack was virtually over and the exhausted troops retired. It had been a costly exercise with Casualties of 237 all ranks, of which 29 all ranks were killed. It is likely that Thomas was killed during this action.

Soldiers Died in the Great War - Raynor Thomas O born Nottingham, enlisted Nottingham, abode Old Basford Nott's, 26113, Private, killed in action, France and Flanders, 10/10/16. Buried - Connaught Cemetery Thiepval - grave XL. L.2. In memoriam published 10th October 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “RAYNOR. – In loving memory of our dear son and brother Private Thomas Oliver Raynor, Sherwood Foresters, killed in action October 10th, 1916, of 23, Queen-street, Old Basford, aged 25 years. Days of sadness still come o'er us, tears of sorrow often flow; memory keeps our loved ones near us, whom God claimed one year ago. – Sadly missed by sorrowing mother, father, sisters, brothers. “RAYNOR. – In loving memory of our dear brother, Private Thomas Oliver Raynor, killed in action October 10th, 1916. God takes the loved ones from our sight, but never from our hearts. Sadly missed. – Loving sister Louise, brother Charles (in France).” Above in memoriam are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.