Private Thomas Oliver Raynor, aged 23 years 11 months, enlisted on 15 May 1915 and posted to 16th battalion Sherwood Foresters (Chatsworth Rifles).The battalion moved to France on 6 March 1916 and on 9 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.

poppy puss