Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Raymond was the son of John Reay (1848-1909) and his wife, Elizabeth Pool (nee Simpson). He was born at South Shields. The couple (who married in 1881) had 9 children in 20 years but unfortunately 1 died.
Their names were names were Howard, Norman, John, Raymond, Hubert, Arnold, Reuben and daughter Alice. The family lived together in a 9 roomed house at Greencroft Villa, Sheriff Hill, Gateshead.
By 1911 the census shows the family was progressing. John (senior) had work as a banker’s clerk whilst his sons living at home also had decent jobs. Norman was in electrical engineering, John had his own account as a general cartman, Raymond, a clerk (provisions), Hubert, an engineering clerk and Arnold a clerk (brass founders). In fact, the family were able to afford a general servant.
Raymond’s battalion was raised in Newcastle in November 1914. Although his date of enlistment isn’t known Raymond went to France where he was killed in action near Pozieres 28th March 1918 aged 30 years.
Pozieres Memorial remembers over 14,000 men who were killed in the crisis of March/April 1918 when our forces were driven back by overwhelming numbers across the former Somme battlefields and the months that followed.
At least 2 of Raymond’s brothers fought in the Great War and appear to have survived. They were Norman, serving with the Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line and also Arnold, serving with both the Manchester Regiment and the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment.
Raymond was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service.
His probate amounted to £217.13.5d which was dealt with by his brothers Hubert and Howard.
Raymond Reay is remembered at Gateshead on G39.004 and at Gateshead Fell on G39.064
