Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Isaac Raynor, a bricklayer, born 1845 in Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire and his wife Hannah Jane Raynor (nee Cartwright, married in the 3rd quarter of 1869 in the Leicester district), born 1843 in Leicester. Frederic, a schoolboy, was born in the 1st quarter of 1886 in Woodhouse Eaves, his siblings were, William, a carpenter, born 1870 in Woodhouse Eaves, Charles, a quarry labourer, born 1872 in Leicester, Eliza, a hosiery trade loom weaver, born 1876, Isaac, a hosiery trade rubber winder, born 1878 and Wallace, a schoolboy, born 1883, the latter three siblings were all born in Woodhouse Eaves, in April 1891 the family home was at Mill Hill Road, Woodhouse Eaves. In the 2nd quarter of 1896 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district, Frederic’s mother died aged 53. In March 1901 Frederic was employed as a general farm boy and was residing at Brook Street, Woodhouse Eaves, this being the family home of his widowed Grandmother Joanna Thorpe who was living on her own means, born 1825 in Hoby, Leicestershire, Frederic’s father was employed as a bricklayer and was residing as a boarder at Woodgan Road, Anstey, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Frederic was employed as a wool warehouseman, and was residing in the family home at 14, Norman Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, together with his wife Susan Jane Raynor (nee Harrison, married in the 2nd quarter of 1910 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1893 in Freeby, Leicestershire and their daughter, Hilda Hannah, born 18th June 1910 in Melton Mowbray. After the 1911 census another child was born, Frederick John William, born on the 28th January 1912 in Melton Mowbray.
Frederic attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement of 3 years with the Colours and 9 years in the Reserve. If the man completes his years service with the Colours while beyond the seas, he will be sent home, with all convenient speed, for transfer to the Army Reserve.) on the 29th August 1904 in Loughborough. He gave his place of birth as Woodhouse Eaves, Loughborough, Leicestershire, his age as 18 years and 8 months and his trade or calling as bricklayer’s labourer. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his next of kin as his father Isaac Raynor of Cropston Road, Anstey, Leicestershire, his brothers, William, Charles of South Africa, John of London, Isaac of Canada and Wallace serving with the Leicestershire Regiment and his sister, Eliza Brewin of 25, Sherrard Street, Melton Mowbray. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4½ inches in height, weighed 104 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had hazel eyes, it was noted that he had a small scar on the left side of his forehead. A dental examination revealed that he had 22 sound, 4 decayed and 2 deficient teeth. His physical development was described as fair. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 30th August 1904 in Leicester. A follow up medical examination after six months service and a gymnastics course recorded his height as 5 foot 5 inches, he weighed 110 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 34½ inches. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 7454 on the 5/9/04. Awarded the 3rd Class Army Certificate of Education on the 10/11/04. Transferred to the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment stationed at Colchester the 9/1/05. Granted Messing Allowance on the 1/2/05. Posted to the Tower of London on the 5/7/05. Posted to Colchester on the 29/8/05. Awarded 1st Good Conduct Badge on the 29/8/06. Transferred to Section “B” Army Reserve on the 28/8/07. Mobilized on the 5/8/14. Posted to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 5/8/14. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 8/9/14. Disembarked at St. Nazaire on the 10/9/14. admitted to 16th Field Ambulance on the 5/9/15. Admitted to the 2nd Casualty Clearing Station on the 7/9/15. Rejoined the Battalion on the 17/9/15. Admitted to the 16th Field Ambulance on the 25/9/15. admitted to -?- on the 27/9/15. To duty on the 4/10/15. Rejoined the Battalion on the 5/10/15. Killed in action, at a place not stated in the field on the 28/12/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 29/8/04 – 8/9/14, 10 years and 11 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 9/9/14 – 28/12/15, 1 year and 111 days. Total service 11 years and 122 days. Frederic was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. Frederic’s surviving service documents are in a poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 28 Dec-15 - Quiet all day except for occasional shelling. C Coy 3 killed by shrapnel (1 shell).
On Friday January 14th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTONIAN KILLED IN ACTION. Official information has been received during the past week that Pte. Frederick Rayner, of the 1st Leicestershire Regiment, was killed by a shell in France on December 28th. In a letter to his sister (Mrs. W. O. Brewin, Sherrard-street, Melton Mowbray), the Commanding Officer of the C Company describes deceased as a cheerful and willing soldier, who could always be depended upon in the trenches. He states that he was killed instantly by a shell, and was buried at St. Jean. Pte. Rayner who was 29 years of age, served three years with the Regulars, then came to reside in Melton. He had been here nearly eight years when called up as a reservist on the outbreak of the war, and at once went out to France with the Expeditionary Force. Deceased had remained at the front ever since, with the exception of a brief furlough which he spent at Melton towards the end of last October. He was formerly employed in the steel department of Holwell Works.
On Friday January 21st 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – TRIBUTE TO MELTON SOLDIER. A memorial service was held at Woodhouse Eaves Church last Sunday in connection with the death of Pte. Fred Rayner, 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, who as reported in our last issue, was killed by a shell on December 28th.