WW1 SILVER FOB, SIR ALFRED BUTTS INVITATION TO VC'S AS ISSUED TO SGT-MJR.J.C.RAYNE.RA.VC FROM LEEDS / SHEFFIELD

A fine and rare Badge for Sir Alfred Butt’s Invitation to Victoria Cross holder’s, as issued in 1918, to all living recipient’s of the Victoria Cross, this one being engraved and awarded To- BY.SGT.MAJ.J.C.RAYNES.VC.36830.ROYAL.FIELD
ARTILLERY.
John Crawshaw Raynes VC 28 April 1887 – 12 November 1929
Raynes, from Sheffield in the West Riding of Yorkshire, joined the Royal Horse and Field Artillery in 1904 and served until 1912, then joined the Leeds police force.He was recalled for service in WW1 & went on to be awarded the Victoria Cross.
He was 28 years old, and an Acting Sergeant in the 'A' Battery 71 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery,when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC with the following citation.
On 11 October 1915 at Fosse 7 de Bethune, France, Sergeant Raynes went to the assistance of another sergeant who was lying wounded. He bandaged the injured man and returned to his gun, then, when the battery ceased firing, carried the wounded man to a dug-out and when gas shelling started, put his own gas helmet on his injured comrade and, badly gassed himself, went back to his gun. The next day he was buried, with others, under a house which had been shelled. As soon as he had been extricated he insisted on helping to rescue the others, then, having had his wounds dressed, reported for duty.
After his discharge he went back to serve with Leeds city police. However due to his wartime injuries he was unable to take a job on the beat and was given a desk job. He sadly died in 1929 due to the effects of his wartime service and was given a full military style service that was attended by several Yorkshire based VC recipients.
Sir Alfred Butt was the Director of Rationing in the Ministry of Food from 1917 to 1918, being Knighted in 1918. He went on to become Member of Parliament for Balham and Tooting between 1922 and 1936, and was created a Baronet in 1929. However it was as Chairman of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and other theatrical companies, which led Sir Alfred to issue a badge to all living recipient’s of the Victoria Cross to attend the theatre free of charge.
NEF & a rare & scarce item.

Code: 55778