Raymond Gifford Reynolds was born in Bendigo in 1895. He was the son of Harry Thomas and Jessie Reynolds. On his enlistment papers dated 19 August 1914 he stated that he was a draper and that he been an apprentice with Myers in Bendigo for three years. He gave his mother as his next of kin with an address in Bendigo. This was later changed to 76 Simpson Street, East Melbourne. His military experience included two years with the Senior Cadets and 13 months with the 17th Australian Medical Corps. He was appointed to the 2nd Field Ambulance at Broadmeadows.
He embarked on 19 October 1914 aboard the Wiltshire, one of the ships making up the convoy taking Australia’s first troops to the battle fields. From Egypt he proceeded to join the MEF at Gallipoli on 5 April 1915. He was admitted to hospital with tonsillitis for four days during the trip but was better in time for the Gallipoli landing on 25 April. The ship he was travelling on, the Mashroba, was turned into a temporary hospital ship, and on 29th April 404 casualties were placed on board, and it returned to Alexandria. (For a full account of the 2nd FA’s movements see War Diary link below) In late June he was admitted to hospital again, this time with dysentery; and again in November, with jaundice. He proceeded to join the BEF in France on 23 March 1916 and disembarked in Marseilles a week later. He was awarded the Military Medal for action which took place in early April. His commanding officer wrote in his recommendation:-
For conspicuous bravery at BOUREIRE ?? on the 7th and 8th and 8th and 9th April 1917. He acted as Stretcher Bearer from the 12th Battalion Aid Post back to a relay post about 1½ miles in rear, and carried and tended wounded under constant heavy shell and Machine Gun fire for two days. On the last day he worked continuously for 24 hours under very heavy fire until quite exhausted. During the whole time he was carrying continuously through a heavy barrage of Artillery fire and for more than half a mile on each trip was under direct observation of the enemy and exposed to heavy Machine Gun and Snipers fire. He set a splendid example by his coolness and courage, and by his devotion to duty was responsible for the evacuation of a considerable number of wounded men.
The unit’s War Diary entry for 7/8/9 April at Fremicourt expands the story:-
About 500 patients were passed through in the 48 hours 7th-8th-9th April. … evacuation is by stretcher bearers to Wagon Loading Post whence they are evacuated by Horse Ambulance wagons to the A.D.S. [Advanced Dressing Station] at BEUGNY, and thence to the Main Dressing Station at BAPAUME.
Announcement of the award appeared in the London Gazette of 25 May 1917, and in the Australian on 11 October 1917.
He was promoted to lance corporal on 26 April 1917 but then reverted to private the next day when he was transferred to the 1st Pioneer Battalion. He spent ten days’ leave In UK in September. He was again promoted to lance corporal on 20 October 1917. On 8 February 1918 he proceeded to Administrative Headquarters AIF for employment on transport duties to Australia. On arrival back in England he took up duties at No. 2 Command Depot in Weymouth and was transferred to the Pay Corps. He left for return to Australia on 15 February 1918 on the Llanstephen Castle for Staff General Officer Commanding AIF general duties. He spent two months furlough in Australia during which time he visited Bendigo and in particular his friends at Myers. The Adelaide’s Chronicle newspaper provided a photo of the returning troops with the following explanation:
There is big interest in this picture of men who returned from France by the last transport. The men forming the group are the first to receive a holiday under a new system whereby a certain number who have seen hard fighting are brought back as attendants on the troopship, and are thus enabled to enjoy a brief holiday among their friends at home, before returning to the fighting line.
He re-embarked on 31 August 1918 on the Barambah, as part of the 9th Reinforcements. On embarkation he gave his address and that of his next of kin, his father, as 101 Hotham Street, East Melbourne. The voyage of the Barambah became the subject of a scandal. The ship was said to have left Australia in filthy condition, with not enough water to flush the toilets or provide showers. Seventeen people died of influenza and eight more were sick. (For more see link below.) He disembarked at London on 14 November 1918. He was allotted to the Pay Corps at Park House on 13 December. He was promoted to temporary 2nd corporal on 28 March 1919, and then extra regimental 2nd corporal on the same day, and extra regimental corporal on 11 June 1919.
On 13 February 1920 Raymond wrote to the Department of Repatriation and Demobilisation asking to be discharged in England. He gave as his reasons, ‘Marriage in United Kingdom and fiancée being unable owing to family reasons to go to Australia. Good business opportunities which will benefit me on my return to Australia.’ His discharge was approved and was granted on 4 June 1920. He married Rosina M Stock the same year.
On 17 January 1952 he wrote from Panmure Place, Woodville, Adelaide requesting a copy of his certificate of discharge as it was ‘urgently required to prove former service.’
He died in South Australia on 2 June 1983.
