Military History

Raymond is listed as being killed in action on 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The 9th Battalion Report on Operations contained within the 20th Infantry Brigade war diary is transcribed below.

Bois de Tailles - 1 Jul 1916: The 9th Devonshire Regiment had advanced at 7.27am in touch with 2nd Border Regiment but on reaching our front line in the vicinity of Mansel Copse came under a heavy artillery and machine gun barrage, and suffered severely. The first two lines of this battalion advanced in extended order with the 3rd line in small columns.

The battalion moved on steadily at first, but the leading companies losing all their officers soon after entering the hostile trenches, and having to pass over trenches completely wrecked beyond recognition by shell fire, became somewhat disorganized and remained in the vicinity of Tirpitz Trench and Shrine Alley, collected in small parties, and engaging the enemy in front of and behind them wherever met. They undoubtedly did great service in keeping the enemy engaged, and in clearing the trenches, and sent back many prisoners. They did not however succeed in getting into touch with the battalions on their right and left, and failed to carry out the task of clearing the "dug-outs" in the wooded bank West of the Railway.

At 7.40am the reserve company of this battalion had been ordered forward by the C.O. to reinforce his attenuated lines in front, but losing all officers before reaching the front German line, this company also became disorganized in the difficult terrain in which it found itself.

At 1pm The situation of the 9th Battalion was confused, but it was certain that they were not in touch with the battalions on their flanks, that they had been heavily engaged in difficult ground, that they were hanging on well, but were not advancing, and that their numbers were very much reduced.