August 13: In search of Victoria Cross hero’s family

THIS year we are receiving a plaque from the Department for Communities and Local Government to commemorate 100 years since Sheffield-born Sergeant Major John Crawshaw Raynes was awarded the Victoria Cross for an act of outstanding heroism during the Battle of Loos in the First World War.

Sgt Maj Raynes joined the Royal Horse and Field Artillery in 1904 and then served with Leeds City Police from 1912, before enlisting in 1914. He returned to serve with the police after the war, but as a result of his injuries during the war, he was unable to continue his duties. He died in 1929 aged just 42, with an estimated 25,000-30,000 people turning out for the funeral in Leeds, such was the popularity of this brave man.

We would like to hear from any remaining members of his family to join the commemoration and unveiling of the plaque in October. Any members of his family or any of your readers who may know how they can be contacted should get in touch with Sheffield City Council on 0114 273 5621. I give below the award citation for the Victoria Cross:

“No. 36380. Sergeant-Major J C Raynes, (Royal Field Artillery). For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. On 11th Oct 1915, at Fosse 7 de Bethune, his Battery was being heavily bombarded by armour-piercing and gas shells. On ‘Cease Fire’ being ordered Sergeant-Major (then Acting Sergeant) Raynes, went out under an intense shell fire to assist Sergeant Ayres, who was lying wounded forty yards away. He bandaged him and returned to his gun, when it was again ordered into action. A few minutes later ‘Cease Fire’ was again ordered owing to the intensity of the enemy fire, and Sergeant-Major Raynes, calling on two gunners to help him – both of whom were killed shortly afterwards – went out and carried Sergeant Ayres into a dug-out. A gas shell burst at the mouth of the dug-out, and Sergeant-Major Raynes, once more ran across the open, fetched his own smoke helmet, put it on Sergeant Ayres, and then, himself badly gassed, staggered back to serve his gun.

“On 12th Oct 1915, at Quality Street, a house was knocked down by a heavy shell, four men being buried in the house and four in the cellar. The first man rescued was Sergeant-Major Raynes, wounded in the head and leg, but he insisted on remaining under heavy shell fire to assist in the rescue of all the other men. Then, after having his wounds dressed, he reported himself immediately for duty with his Battery, which was again being heavily shelled.”

The citation appeared in a supplement to The London Gazette dated November 18, 1915. John was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on December 4, 1915.

Ill-judgement dogging NHS

From: Peter Hyde, Driffield.

READING the article by Dr Melody Redman (The Yorkshire Post, August 10) really points out the flaws in our system of government.

Here is someone who knows exactly what is needed to make the NHS the valuable service we admire.

Yet no-one is inclined to listen to her, preferring to have non-medical managers making a hash of things and spending cash – so desperately needed on the front line of treatment of the sick – on administration whilst at the same time negotiating themselves massive pay rises by moving posts.

Why can’t politicians stop interfering and let those who have the true knowledge run the service?

Well done Dr Redman and The Yorkshire Post for highlighting these points.

Judge too soft on fraudster

From: Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon.

THE Yorkshire Post (August 8) reported on the case of mother-of-three Alina Khan who had made a fraudulent claim for £30,000 by staging a “crash for cash” scam.

This lady was already under a suspended sentence for benefit fraud, and yet Judge Angela Nield, at the Crown Court in Manchester, merely handed down another suspended sentence despite her committing, in her words, a “wicked and dangerous act”, because the culprit has to look after her disabled daughter.

The judge said that it was not in the public interest to separate Khan from her daughter.

Many, I suspect, may disagree with that viewpoint. It was also stated that Khan was pregnant with her fourth child.

Just who will be paying for the upkeep of this lady and all her children, one wonders? The good old taxpayer again, no doubt.

Our far too soft judges really do not help by continuing to administer weak sentences time after time.

Rocky road to asylum

From: Brian Sheridan, Redmires Road, Sheffield.

I AGREE with most of D Wood’s letter, especially the negative view of David Cameron’s foreign policy with regard to the so-called Arab Spring (The Yorkshire Post, August 10). I would only add that the Prime Minister clearly has learned nothing from Tony Blair’s venture into Iraq. History suggests that so often the removal of a dictator disturbs a nest of vipers.

I also agree that all residents should abide by the law of the land and that immigrants must recognise that Sharia law has no place here.

However, I would be ashamed to be part of a nation that refused to accept asylum seekers. “The
fact that these people are prepared to break any law to get here means that they are prepared to break any law when they get here” is a fundamentally flawed argument. I consider myself to be a law-abiding citizen, but I hardly dare contemplate what I would do if I were fleeing persecution, torture or death.