John Reginald Raynes, my 4th cousin 2x removed was born in the spring of 1894 at Pembury, Kent. He was a farm labourer and the youngest son of John Raines and Emily Kneller who had 5 children. Another son, Frederick Nathaniel Raynes was a Private in the Kent Cyclist Battalion, 1855.
John enlisted in November 1914 and was a Private, 4674, in the 1st Battalion, B Company, of The Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). After 1 year and 4 months of service and with 11 months in the field he was admitted to No. 42 Casualty Clearing Station with Bronchitis on 20 Mar 1916
We can follow the rest his story in the Kent & Sussex Courier.
This first entry is from 18 Aug 1916 and John is wounded. Mr. H. Raynes would be his older brother Harry Nathan Raynes.
Then on 25 Aug 1916 we read this:
This must have given a sense of relief after his earlier report of being wounded.
But sad news was reported on 29 Jun 1917:
After almost a year of being a P.O.W. we learn that John had died.
