Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Persian Gulf’ D.S.M. group of three awarded to Private F. W. Rayner, Royal Marine Light Infantry, for gallantry in action with H.M.S. Juno’s landing party at Dilwar in August 1915 against the Tangistani Tribe

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (CH.19271. Pte. F. W. Rayner, R.M.L.I. H.M.S. Juno.); British War and Victory Medals (CH.192710 Pte. F. Y. Rayner. R.M.L.I.) the Victory Medal officially re-impressed, overall contact marks, otherwise good fine and better (3) £900-£1,200

D.S.M. London Gazette 19 November 1915.
The recommendation submitted by Captain Carpenter, R.M.L.I., states: ‘Frederick William Rayner, R.M.L.I. Chatham Division “H” Company (H.M.S. Juno) Dilwar 14 August 1915. During the retirement in the action of 14 August 1915, it was reported to me that two wounded men of R.M.L.I. had been accidentally left in the palm grove we had evacuated and that Sergeant Wall and Private Rayner were alone standing by them holding the enemy off. I called for volunteers to go and assist these men. Captain S. E. Althrop, 96th Berar Infantry and Private Ramsay, R.M.L.I., immediately volunteered and returned a distance of 300 yards in the face of heavy fire from a closely advancing enemy and between them all brought back the two wounded men.’ (L/MIL/17/15/98/27 and ADM 137/1151/30 Tangistan Operations August 1915 refer)

F. W. Rayner was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for service in action with H.M.S. Juno’s landing party at Dilwar in August 1915 against the Tangistani Tribe who had been incited by Herr Wassmuss, the former German Consul at Bushire. On 12 July they had raided the town, killing two British officers and several sepoys, and wounding others. Rayner was serving in Juno’s machine gun section of 11 petty officers and men, with Captain Carpenter, R.M.L.I., in command. Carpenter and two other Naval officers received the D.S.C. for this action in which machine-guns saw significant action during the several advances and withdrawals that took place.

Note: Also entitled to 1914-15 Star.