Thomas Ray

He was baptised in Holton Church on 20 November 1887, the son of George Ray, woodman and labourer born in Headington, and Sarah born in Forest Hill. In 1891 the family were living at Holton Lodge. At the 1901 Census, Thomas was living at the Missionary College, Dorchester-on-Thames, working there as a servant. Ten years later he was the sole occupant of an un-named house in Holton, employed as a groom on a farm. He married Amelia Ellen Nutt of Great Milton on 24 June 1911, his occupation being described as labourer.

He served with 4th Battalion, Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (Regimental no. 204617) and was later transferred to the Royal Berkshire Regiment (No. 220378). His Attestation Certificate shows his address as The Green, Wheatley. The date on the document is not clear, apart from the year which is 1915, but his Silver War Badge citation gives his enlistment date as 30 October of that year. He was discharged from the Army on 29 March 1919 having been wounded, for which he received a scroll signed by King George V. He later moved to live in Great Milton and was the licensee of The Bull public house. He died in June 1970, the death being registered at the Wallingford Register Office.