The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Rayner
- First Name:
- Leslie Robert
- Nick Name:
- Les
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX9357
- Company:
- ‘A’ Company, 5 Platoon
- Enlisted:
- 30.10.1940
- DOB:
- 26.02.1918
- Place of Birth:
- Perth, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Henry Richard Rayner
- Mothers's Name:
- Emily Rayner (nee Porter)
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Farmhand
- Memorial:
- Kranji War Cemetery, Plot 2, Row E, Grave 6, Age 24.
- Cause of Death:
- Died of Wounds
- Place of Death:
- 2/13th Australian General Hospital
- Date of Death:
- 27.02.1942
General Description
Les had been wounded in action on 15.2.1942 at Buona Vista. Admitted to 2/13th Australian General Hospital with shrapnel wounds to both legs, one leg being amputated. He died 27 February 1942. A number of ‘A’ Coy men were KIA at Buona Vista.
Les Rayner was buried at the Military Cemetery Changi on the main road approximately 70 yards north of 13 mile peg and approximately 40 yards on south side of the road, map reference 014188. Funeral service conducted by Senior Chaplain M. Jones A.I.F. Details were noted and left in a bottle at head of the grave by Captain A.W. Thomas.
Henry Rayner and Emily Clayton (nee Porter) married in 1915, Pilbara. Emily had twin daughters Flo and Doris.
Henry was Hotel Manager at Marble Bar from at least 1912 through to 1922. Les would have spent his early years growing up here. In 1925 the Rayner family were at the Hotel at Coongan, which of course is no longer standing. This premises were very close to Marble Bar at Coongan River.
Les was the second of three sons. His brothers Harry enlisted with AIF and brother George enlisted with RAAF. He also had two step-sisters Flo and Doris.
Below: The engagement is announced of Les and Doris Ash of Dindiloa, which is in Chapman Valley, near Geraldton.
After the war Doris Ash married 2/4th’s Ron Simkin of Northampton. Please read further
When he enlisted Les was recorded on the Electoral Roll as living at Nabawah, farming. His father Henry was publican at Nabawah from 1930 through to 1938 when the family moved to Toodyay.
At Toodyay Emily and Henry ran the Newcastle Hotel, for many years. Please read the farewell party for Les & mates.
Emily was widely known as ‘Ma’ – she ran a very ‘well behaved’ hotel – a resilient and very experienced hotelier having previously ran the Marble Bar Hotel for some years she was well respected and the men of the town knew ‘never to play up’ in her pub!
ABOVE: Doris Ash had joined Womens Auxiliary Air Force.
Emily Rayner who was born in Norfolk, England died 13 February 1977 at Inglewood. Her parents Robert and Elizabeth Porter, resided in Leederville.
Robert Porter died in 1943 and Elizabeth died in 1953.
Below: On right Lesley, niece of Les Rayner and her daughter, Jo-ann McVee, great niece of Rayner. Lesley’s mother Doris named her daughter after her brother Les Rayner!
Emily Rayner’s first marriage to Clayton, produced two daughters, Doris and Florence. When Emily married Henry R. Rayner, the couple had three sons.
Above: Taken Perth Dinghy Club at the Anketell Cup
