William Traynor

William Bernard Traynor
Born	31 December 1870 Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Died	20 October 1956 (aged 85) Dover, Kent
Buried	Charlton Cemetery, Dover
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	British Army
Years of service	1888-1901
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	The West Yorkshire Regiment
Battles / wars	Second Boer War World War I
Awards	Victoria Cross

For the Canadian-American political activist, see W. J. H. Traynor

William Bernard Traynor VC (31 December 1870 – 20 October 1956) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

Traynor was born at 29 Moxon Street, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire. He was 30 years old and a sergeant in the 2nd Battalion, The West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's Own), British Army during the Second Boer War when the following act led to the award of the Victoria Cross:

During the night attack on Bothwell Camp on the 6th, February, 1901, Sergeant Traynor jumped out of a trench and ran out under an extremely heavy fire to the assistance of a wounded man. While running out he was severely wounded, and being unable to carry the man by himself he called for assistance. Lance-Corporal Lintott at once came to him and between them they carried the wounded soldier into shelter. After this, although severely wounded, Sergeant Traynor remained in command of his section, and was most cheerful, encouraging his men till the attack failed.

Traynor's Cross is held privately.

References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• Victoria Crosses of the Anglo-Boer War (Ian Uys, 2000)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Kent)
• Dover War Memorial Project
• Angloboerwar.com