Fusilier Reginald George Rayner

On leaving school Reg Rayner became a fireman for the LMS, firing engines on the Princess series on the run between London and Glasgow. Reg Rayner enlisted, aged 20, at Wembley, into the Royal Fusiliers in September 1939. The unit was re-designated to the 69th Searchlight Regiment Royal Artillery in August 1940 and consequently his rank transferred to Gunner.

In June 1943 Gunner Rayner transferred to the AAC. He completed his parachute training in August 1943 at Ringway on course 75 before joining the Anti-Tank Platoon, 6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalion as a Fusilier. During his time with this unit he saw active service in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. Fus. Rayner was on board the HMS Abdiel when it hit a mine on docking at Taranto in Italy. Fus. Rayner was able to swim ashore, but 130 men from 6 PARA including his Commanding Officer died from the sinking.  In October 1944, Fus. Rayner parachuted into Greece with 6 PARA and undertook internal security operations within Athens and Attica.

After the war, Reg Rayner spent 25 years as the plumber for a University Chemical Laboratory. He died on the 28th October 2006.