2658372 Lance-Serjeant Leslie RAYNOR, DCM, Coldstream Guards

Hi all,

I would love to find out more information on 2658372 Lance Sergeant Leslie Raynor DCM, 2nd Coldstream Guards.

the info below comes from a Noonans auction listing - does anyone have anything to add?

kind regards
Emps


D.C.M. London Gazette 23 September 1943. The original recommendation states:

‘On 26 April 1943, this N.C.O’s platoon came under very heavy machine-gun and mortar fire from hills overlooking their position. After suffering casualties the platoon withdrew, leaving Lance-Sergeant Raynor and his section behind. He showed great coolness and courage under very difficult circumstances and reorganised the defence of the area. He on several occasions went across open ground swept by fire to fetch ammunition. This N.C.O. has repeatedly displayed great courage in action throughout the North African campaign, and has been an inspiration to all under his command.’

Leslie Raynor was born in Swinton, near Rotherham, in January 1916 and enlisted in the Coldstream Guards in May 1938. Posted to the 2nd Battalion, he served in the B.E.F. out in France from September 1939 until the Dunkirk evacuation in June 1940, and was embarked for the Middle East in November 1942, where he served until being severely wounded by a gunshot wound to his abdomen during his D.C.M.-winning exploits at “Longstop Hill” in Tunisia on 26 April 1943. Evacuated to the U.K., he was discharged as permanently unfit that November, the same month in which he received his D.C.M. from the King at Buckingham Palace.

 

Thanks for that - it was on my to-do list!

 

I found this today. The description states that it was filmed directly before the action that Raynor won his DCM.

Interestingly, the last frames show a Sergeant which could be Raynor.



Cheers

 

His discharge date.

 

Although Raynor's DCM citation lists the place of the action as Sidi Brahim, the 2 CG's war diary states Djebel Brahim:-

0200. Bn arrived and were put in posn.
0720. Bn ‘F’ esh arrived very late as they had got lost in the fog.
0730. Fog lifted and heavy mortar and shellfire descended. Also at least 4 Mg’s dug in around Bn area.
Bde Comd ordered Bn to retire. One pl of No 1 Coy was unable to do so. MR WATNEY, Mr F-WATSON, Capt Skimming, Major Harris, and Bn Comd remained until late with this pl. when they were able to retire followed by a German patrol. 18 Bn vehs were destroyed. MR SARSONS was killed and there were approx 75 casualties.
The Bn spent last night at J7313.

I have also seen sources that name the location of the attack as Djebel Rouissate and that the Battalion found themselves in a Horseshoe as the fog lifted. I had a look on google earth and found Djebel Rouissate - right next to a Horseshoe feature. I wonder if this is where the action took place?



Cheers