Cyril Raikes
| Cyril Probyn Napier Raikes | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Major Cyril Raikes | |
| Born |
12 November 1875 Swanmore, Hampshire, England |
| Died |
16 January 1963 Sidmouth, Devon, England |
| Service/branch | Royal Engineers |
| Rank | Major |
| Battles/wars |
Boer War World War I, Mesopotamian Campaign |
| Awards |
Military Cross (World War I) Boer War with four bars |
| Other work | Director British Oxygen Company |
Cyril Probyn Napier Raikes was awarded the Military Cross in the World War I Mesopotamian Campaign flying in the British army's Royal Engineers monitoring the oil pipelines there. He had previously fought in the Boer War.
Cyril Raikes was born 12 November 1875 in Swanmore, Hampshire, England the son of General Robert Napier Raikes. He was a Lieutenant in the Boer War, South Africa 1900-1902 gaining a medal and four bars. Before World War I he developed water services in Egypt and married Dora Roberts 1 February 1905. In World War I he was awarded the Military Cross and three other medals in the Mesopotamian Campaign, flying in the British army's Royal Engineers, monitoring the oil pipelines there.
He became the Overseas Director of the British Oxygen Company traveling extensively throughout the Middle East, Europe, South Africa and South America to develop business there. He lived at The Mount, Godalming, Surrey. During the 2nd World War while still working for the British Oxygen Company and staying at the Thatched House Club, St James's, he served as a fire watcher in London, for instance on the top of St Pauls Cathedral. He then lived in Rolle Cottage, Sidbury and finally Sidmouth both in Devon until his death 16 January 1963. He had two daughters Iris Mary Raikes (born 1 March 1909, died 9 June 1995, living on Exmoor) and Daphne Veronica Raikes, a physiotherapist (born 29 January 1911, and lucidly living to 101 in Beccles, Suffolk, she died 16 October 2012), both without issue. [1]
References
- ↑ Pedigree of Raikes compiled by Duncan Raikes, published 1980, ISBN 0-900592-73-7 and Pedigree of Raikes privately published 1930 by Phillimore & Co, 120 Chancery Lane, London