No.65169, Driver, Charles Alfred RAYMENT
Aged 28
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Alfred Charles Rayment was born in Bottisham Lode in 1890 (Newmarket Q3-1890 3B:498), son of John and Harriet RAYMENT (née JARVIS).
1891 census...Aged 9 months Charles Rayment was at Mill Road, Bottisham with his father John RAYMENT [23] a general labourer born Bottisham Lode; his mother Harriet [21] born Upware, and brother Arthur [3] born Bottisham Lode. 1901 census...Aged 11, Charles Rayment was at Brookside, Mill Road, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge, with his parents, sisters Emma [6] and Beatrice [3] and brothers Herbert [2] and William [1]. Brother Arthur was a servant in Cambridge. All the family are recorded as born in Cambridge. 1911 census...He has not been found in this census,nor brother Arthur. His parents, sisters Emma and Beattie, brothers Herbert and William and new brothers Harold [10], Jack [8], Teddie [7], Bertie [6], Lewis [4] and George [7 months] and sister Alice [2], all born in Cambridge, were living at 61 Vinery Road, Cambridge. The census records 11 children, none dying and no account taken of Alfred or Arthur. His father was a cement worker and Mr Hucks who gave Driver Charles Rayment a reference for the army was manager of a cement works. Alfred Charles Rayment married Louisa Agnes FLEET [2-9-1890] in Registry Office, Cambridge on 29th October 1913. There is some confusion as to children. Violet Lilian RAYMENT [24-12-1913] but Madge Eliza born 13-3-1917 is referred to elsewhere as Lily and relatives have no explanation for this. On the pernsion card they were at The Pits, Isleham. The army wanted to see a death certificate for Agnes Louise who died on 23rd June 1916, but this baby was from another Rayment family Louisa re-married in 1919 to Ambrose BECKETT. Despite many pages on line for his service records, many sheets have been washed out and of course the burns are just where the information we seek was written. At one stage the army departments were asking each other if 65169 C. Rayment was one and the same as 61569 A.C. Rayment. The answer was not found, but his records are under 65169, as below. |
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Enlisted on 19th May 1911 in Cambridge, giving his age as 22 years 10 months, a labourer born in Bottisham, 5' 5.5" (166.4 cm) tall, weighing 136 lbs (61.9 kg) and chest 36" to 38.5" (91.4 to 97.8 cm), brown eyes,dark brown hair and a Wesleyan. He was posted a Driver to Woolwich depot,then in September 1911 to 104 Battery at Sheffield. Later in September he was in Cahir, in South Tipperary, Ireland. From there he joined 13 Battery. With them in Edinburgh he got 7 days confined to barracks for being drunk (but not whilst on duty) on 19th April 1913. His officer recorded on 30th September 1913 that he carried out his work satisfactorily but needed to smarten himself up a bit. He was used to horses and was of a very good character. Next he joined 34th Brigade. With 34th Brigade he embarked on 17th August 1914 for active service with the British Expeditionary Force. Transferred to 2 DAC (Divisional Ammunition Column) on 2nd June 1916, he was transferred again to 34th Brigade Ammunition Column on 26th January 1917. He was still part of that unit when wounded on 10th September 1918, dying two days later at No. 45 Casualty Clearing Station (Bailleulval Aug 18 - Oct 18). His effects sent to Louisa at The Pits, Isleham consisted of 4 coins, letter, razor, shaving soap, titles and wound stripe ( he seems to have received an earlier wound). His widow was awarded a weekly pension in 1919 of 23 shillings and 5 pence for herself and two children. At one time Louisa's address was 72 Fitzroy Street, Cambridge, while his parents were at 140 Thoday Street, Cambridge. |
photo: Rodney Gibson
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