Thomas RAYNER [25426]

   Cause of his death was accidently burnt to death.

  General Notes:

Name: Thomas Rayner
Birth Date: 24 Oct 1841
Baptism Date: 19 Dec 1841
Baptism Place: Eldon, New South Wales, Australia
Residence Date: 1841
Residence Place: New South Wales, Australia
Father: Thomas Rayner
Mother: Mary
FHL Film Number: 993953

SERIOUS BURNING ACCIDENT.
A well known resident of the district, in the person of Mr. Thomas Rayner, was the victim of a terrible burning accident at Woodview on Saturday. Mr. Rayner lives with his son, Mr. E. C. Rayner, at that place, and while the latter was in town attending a meeting of the Co-operative Dairy Co., of which he is chairman, a fire broke out on the opposite side of the Old Dyraaba road to Mr. Rayner's property. The old gentleman went out to protect his son's property, and while doing so a sudden change in the wind took the flames right over him. He made his way to the road and in trying to get through a barbed wire fence was caught, and the fire was quickly upon him. His clothes caught fire and he was badly burned from the thighs downwards, and also on the arms. Mr. M. Ryan arrived on the scene, rushed to Mr Rayner's assistance, and succeeded in rescuing him and extinguishing his burning clothing. As quickly us possible Mr Rayner was conveyed to the house, and the services of Dr Waddell requisitioned. The pain was alleviated as far as possible, and the old gentleman was brought to the Friendly Societies Hospital, where he at present lies in a very critical condition. Notwithstanding his 79 years of age, he is bearing up with remarkable fortitude, and has the best wishes of everyone in the district for his ultimate recovery. In addition to Mr E. C. Rayner, Messrs. D. S. Rayner and Jas. Rayner, of Casino, and Messrs Charles and W Rayner, of Lismore, are sons, and the greatest sympathy is felt with the family in the unfortunate occurrence.
Ref: The Richmond River Express and Casino Kyogle Advertiser NSW Tue 24 Jul 1917

DEATH OF MR. THOMAS RAYNER.
In our last issue we reported the circumstances under which Mr Thomas Rayner was severely burnt about the body at Woodview on Saturday afternoon. We regret to announce now that death put an end to the old gentleman's sufferings on Monday night, the immediate cause of death being shock and heart failure.
Everything possible was done for the unfortunate man by Dr Waddell and the nursing staff of the Friendly Societies' Hospital, but from the first the case was regarded as hopeless, and the victim himself fully recognised this, although he bore up with great fortitude to the last. The late Mr. Rayner was .a man of fine physique, and was born at Dungog 76 years ago. When quite a lad he was brought over to the Clarence by his parents, and they settled in the vicinity of Tyndale, on the South Arm, where some of the family still reside.
The journey was a hazardous one, as there were no roads or bridges in those days. As a young man Mr. Rayner learned the trade af wheelwright, but he went on the land after completing his apprenticeship. Subsequently he went back to his trade, and was in partnership with the late Patrick Claffy at Coraki for some time, afterwards coming to Casino, where he worked at his trade at Vesper's wheelwrighting establishment. After a while Mr Rayner got together a team of bullocks and went hauling cedar, and a photograph was taken of him and his loaded team on the Casino bridge. This shows the magnificent proportions of the subject of this notice, and the photograph, was shown in Sydney, being taken by Kerry's of that city. Mr F Stitz, of Casino, had an enlargement made of the photograph, which hung for 20 years in Stitz Bros shop at Casino, and it was a graceful act on the part of Mr Stitz when on Tuesday he handed the picture over to Mr Charles Rayner, a son of deceased, who for some years was in Mr. Stitz's employ. Mr Rayner next tried his hand at gold-digging, and it was while working at Tooloom that he sustained an in jury to his arm that deprived him of the use of it for the remainder of his life. About three years ago he sustained a broken foot, but notwithstanding his 73 years of age the bones knitted. Deceased's wife predeceased him about 14 years ago, and of late years he had resided with his son Clarrie at Woodview, where the accident occurred. The funeral on Tuesday was largely attended, the remains being interred in the Presbyterian portion of the general cemetery, the funeral arrangements being in the hands of Mr. T. Hircock. The family were the recipients of many marks of esteem from residents of the district, and we join with the community in extending our sincere sympathy with the bereaved.
Ref: The Richmond River Express and Casino Kyogle Advertiser NSW Fri 27 Jul 1917

  Research Notes:

Thomas had 7 children

Thomas married Isabella CONNER [25433] [MRIN: 9160]. (Isabella CONNER [25433] was born on 26 Oct 1849 in Hinton NSW and died on 31 Mar 1905 in Casino NSW.)