Most of the South African War service records for soldiers in this database have now been digitised and are available by searching the Archives New Zealand Archway website.
I am the archivist of the Kenya Police and currently researching Harry Rayne. I wonder if anyone from the family can help me at all? Many thanks. David
The incident Lt. Rayne was court martialled for I believe was that of 4 Jun 1902 (some days after the Peace had been declared) where only he and Lt. Bob McKeitch (both of the 9th Contingent, NZ Mounted Rifles) whilst returning from Smut's laager, encountered three Boers who wanted their uniforms. After the Boers presented themselves as being non-aggressive (laid weapons on the ground), McKeitch resisted the indication for him to remove his clothes. Resistance resulted in a scuffle, threats to shoot McKeitch were overheard after which Rayne drew his pistol, shot and killed two of the Boers, fired at the third who escaped. Before he died, one of the mortally wounded Boers managed to shoot and kill Lt. McKeitch and wound Harry in the thigh. Harry struggled back the 13 miles on foot back to the 9th Contingent base in Vereeniging, over rugged terrain through a freezing night. The bodies of the three were later recovered and the third Boer, who was found to be wounded, was also captured.
My grand mother Jesie Coila Herd was born to Mary Cecilia Rayne brother to Henry A Rayne in Kenya .Mary was married to Harry Gould Cullinan (Cullinan Diamond ) I am also putting together a family tree so we may be able to help each other .Feel free to contact me
I see comments from another Allan regarding Major Rayne.
I would be interested in making contact. I am currently undertaking a project tracking him day by day through the Boer War. Regards
Hi Jeremy, and Anonymous,
I may have some information that you may be interested in in regards to Major Henry Rayne.
Henry Rayne is my great grandfather. I have been trying to construct a definitive family tree over the last 20 years and am gradually finding more information out. We know that there were descendants of his sister living in Africa around 2000 but I don't know of anything in the early 1900s. Would be very interested to understand where your family line fits it! J
I would like to make contact with the son of Henry Rayne. Henry is my great great uncle. My grandmothers were living with him in Nairobi in the early 1900's
Henry Rayne (known as Harry) is my father. Joined the Kings African Rifles to become Major Henry Rayne OBE MC. Retired to UK after many years as District Commissioner in East Africa (British Somaliland, Tanganuyka, Uganda, Sudan etc). Was court martialled for incident when the Boer war had been declared over unknown to him, he and several of his men were taken captive and some of them killed when he managed to get hold of a weapon, killed his captors and saved his men. After being exonerated he was given medal for same incident. Married Ethel in Mombasa Cathedral. Retired to UK, wrote several books and articles in the Blackwood's magazine about his experiences (Sun, Sand & Somals - The Ivory Raiders), met and married my mother, his 2nd wife, and had 3 more children. Died in August 1950 and is buried in Crondall Parish Church, Hampshire.
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