Joseph Rayner was born in Birmingham, to William and Alice Rayner.He volunteered for Airborne Forces from the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, passing Parachute Training Course 44 at RAF Ringway in February 1943. His course instructor noted that he was ‘Good – perhaps over eager’.

He was posted to C Company, 8th Parachute Battalion and jumped into Normandy on 6 June 1944.

Private Rayner suffered a head wound and died of his injuries on 19 July 1944, aged 25.

Private Rayner is buried in Ranville Cemetery.