William Bernard Traynor
Sergeant, 2nd Battalion. West Yorkshire Regiment
- Register No.
- 1228 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant all Sergeants →
- Unit
- 2nd Battalion. West Yorkshire Regiment all West Yorkshire Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 6 February 1901 on this day → all of 1901 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second Boer War
- London Gazette
- 17th September 1901 on this day → all of 1901 →
- Born
- 31st December, 1870 at 29, Moxon Street, Hull, Yorkshire
- Died
- 20th October 1956 at Dover, Kent
- Memorial / grave
- at Charlton Cemetery, Kent
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
During the attack on Bothwell Camp on the night of the 6th February, 1901, Sergeant Traynor jumped from his trench, and under extremely heavy fire ran to the assistance of a wounded soldier. On his way over to the man, the sergeant was severely wounded, making it impossible for him to carry the wounded man alone: so he called for assistance. Lance-Corporal Lintott immediately responded to the call and between them they were able to get the wounded man to shelter. Although severely wounded, Sergeant Traynor continued to command his section and cheerfully encouraged his men until the attack failed
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
TRAYNOR, William Bernard. (reg No. 1228).
Sergeant 2nd Battalion. West Yorkshire Regiment. * London Gazetted on 17th September 1901.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 31st December, 1870 at 29, Moxon Street, Hull, Yorkshire.
Died on 20th October 1956 at Dover, Kent.
Memorial on grave at Charlton Cemetery, Kent.
Digest of Citation reads: During the attack on Bothwell Camp on the night of the 6th February, 1901, Sergeant Traynor jumped from his trench, and under extremely heavy fire ran to the assistance of a wounded soldier. On his way over to the man, the sergeant was severely wounded, making it impossible for him to carry the wounded man alone: so he called for assistance. Lance-Corporal Lintott immediately responded to the call and between them they were able to get the wounded man to shelter. Although severely wounded, Sergeant Traynor continued to command his section and cheerfully encouraged his men until the attack failed.
Additional information:. Sergeant Trayner was the son of Francis Taylor, formerly of County Monaghan, Ireland and his wife Rebecca of Hull. He was educated at the Roman Catholic School of Pryme St, Hull. He joined the West Yorkshire Regiment on 14th November 1888, serving in India, and from 1899 to 1901 in the Boer War seeing action at Willow Grange; Colenso; Spion Kop and Vaal Krantz. He also served in the actions in Northern Natal , at Pieter's Hill; Orange River Colony; Laing's Nek as well as in East and West Transvaal. Because of wounds received, he was invalided from the army, being discharged on 29th September 1901. He became a barrack warden a year later at Dover. He married Jane Elizabeth Martin and had six children, Alice Kathleen (born 5th May, 1898) Francis Bernard Redvers (born 7th December 1899), named after General Redvers Buller; Cecil Robert (born 4th May 1903) William Bothwell and Victor Charles, twins, (born on 5th April 1905) and Eileen May (born 20th July 1910). Corporal Lintott, who came to his aid,so gallantly, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. (DCM).
Additional information
Sergeant Trayner was the son of Francis Taylor, formerly of County Monaghan, Ireland and his wife Rebecca of Hull. He was educated at the Roman Catholic School of Pryme St, Hull. He joined the West Yorkshire Regiment on 14th November 1888, serving in India, and from 1899 to 1901 in the Boer War seeing action at Willow Grange; Colenso; Spion Kop and Vaal Krantz. He also served in the actions in Northern Natal , at Pieter's Hill; Orange River Colony; Laing's Nek as well as in East and West Transvaal. Because of wounds received, he was invalided from the army, being discharged on 29th September 1901. He became a barrack warden a year later at Dover. He married Jane Elizabeth Martin and had six children, Alice Kathleen (born 5th May, 1898) Francis Bernard Redvers (born 7th December 1899), named after General Redvers Buller; Cecil Robert (born 4th May 1903) William Bothwell and Victor Charles, twins, (born on 5th April 1905) and Eileen May (born 20th July 1910). Corporal Lintott, who came to his aid,so gallantly, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. (DCM).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Charlton Cemetery, Kent
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