Francis Grant Rayner (1904 - 1945)

Ancestors Descendants

Biography

Francis Grant Rayner was born^[1] on Friday, 15th April 1904, the son of Edward Rayner and Sarah Jane (Grant) Rayner, at Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia.

Francis married^[2] Christina Margaret Neilson on Saturday, 14th December 1935 in St Paul's Presbyterian Church, Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia.

Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954), Mon 16 Dec 1935, Page 5, WEDDINGS^[3].

WEDDINGS

Rayner—Neilson

AT the Mudgee Presbyterian Church on Saturday afternoon Miss Christina Margaret Neilson, daughter of Mr and Mrs T. D. Neilson, of Madeira road, became the wife of Mr Francis Grant Ray ner, son of Mr and Mrs E. Rayner, of Mullamuddy.

Rev. R. W. Wannan conducted the ceremony, and presided at the reception at the Mechanics' Institute. The future home of the happy couple will be at Mullamuddy.

Together they had one child.

1. Errol Francis Rayner

World War Two Service

Gunner Frank Rayner served in the Australian Army in World War II
Service started: 30 January 1942
Unit(s): 35 Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery
Service ended: 3 November 1944

RAYNER, FRANCIS GRANT served with the Australian Army; Service Number: NX86793^[4]; attached to the 35 Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery attaining the rank of Gunner. Francis enlisted on Friday, 30 January 1942 at MUDGEE, NSW and was released from service on Friday, 3 November 1944. ^[5]. Frank served at Magnetic Island, Queensland^[6].

Francis passed away^[7] on Saturday, 4th August 1945 at Mudgee Hospital^[8], Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia, aged 41 years, 3 months, 19 days, and is interred^[9] at Mudgee Cemetery, Mudgee, New South Wales, Presbyterian Section, Row E.

Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954), Mon 6 Aug 1945, Page 8, DEATHS^[8].

DEATHS

Francis Grant Rayner

The death occurred in the Mudgee Hospital on Saturday morning last of Mr. Francis Grant Rayner, aged 41 years. On Tuesday deceased was falling trees on his property near Lue, when a limb struck him on the head. His little son, aged about six years, ran nearly a mile to summon his mother, and then hurried off to find Mr. M. Rayner, who was on another part of the property. Doctor and ambulance later proceeded to the scene, and the injured man was conveyed to hospital, where an operation was performed. Everything possible was done, but it was all in vain, and the end came as stated.

Frank Rayner, as he was familiarly known, will long be remembered by all those who had the pleasure, of his acquaintance. Born in the district, and a member of a pioneer family, he was a grand type of young man. For a considerable period he was a competent tennis player, and, in addition was noted for his fine sporting spirit. Like other young patriots of the district, he answered the call to arms, and served for some two and a half years with the A.I.F., part of the time in New Guinea, where he acquitted himself with great credit. Granted his discharge, he returned home, and, with a number of other diggers, was accorded a public welcome in the Town Hall. Eventually he settled on the land down Lue way, and prospects of a long, and useful life appeared to be bright. But fate ruled otherwise, and now he is no more. To his young wife and little son the heartfelt sympathy of everyone in the district is extended.

Prior to the funeral on Sunday, an impressive service was held in St. Paul's Presbyterian Church by the Rev. G. E. Howland, and relatives and friends from all over the district were in attendance. Returned men of the services headed the sad procession, and at the graveside, 'The Last Post" was sounded by Mr. Stan Searle. The floral tributes formed a lovely collection, and testified in a measure to the love and respect in which deceased was held by his fellows. The arrangements were carried out by Messrs. J. C. Swords and Son.

Sources

• Space: The Rayner Roots Branches and Twigs 1740 ~ 1987 by Harold and Frances Atkins. Page 104.

1. ↑ Birth Index (NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages : accessed 25 Nov 2021), Index entry for RAYNER FRANCIS G; Parents: EDWARD & SARAH J; District: MUDGEE; Registration Number: 14385/1904
2. ↑ Marriage Index (NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages : accessed 25 Nov 2021), Index entry for FRANCIS G RAYNER and CHRISTINA M D NEILSON; District: MUDGEE; Registration Number: 20078/1935
3. ↑ 1935 'WEDDINGS', Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954), 16 December, p. 5. , viewed 19 Jan 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article162522852
4. ↑ World War Two Service (Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs : accessed 15 Jun 2022), Veteran Details for RAYNER, FRANCIS GRANT for Service with the Australian Army. Service Number: NX86793; Rank: Gunner; Enlistment from 30 January 1942 to 3 November 1944
5. ↑ National Archives Australia: 4614681
6. ↑ Space: The Rayner Roots Branches and Twigs 1740 ~ 1987 by Harold and Frances Atkins. Page 104.
7. ↑ Death Index (NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages : accessed 25 Nov 2021), Index entry for RAYNER FRANCIS GRANT; Parents: EDWARD & SARAH JANE; District: MUDGEE; Registration Number: 18625/1945
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} 1945 'DEATHS', Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954), 6 August, p. 8. , viewed 19 Jan 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article156434659
9. ↑ Australian Cemetery Index Inscription #8645119 - Francis Grant Rayner: accessed 15 Jun 2022
   See also: Find A Grave: Memorial #48553610