Raymond 'Tich' Rayner visits America

One of my Dad's old comrades Raymond 'Tich' Rayner was recently invited by his nephew Joe to travel to California and give various talks to schools and acadamies about his exploits with D Company.

This is not a new venture for Tich as he regularly visits local schools near his home in Aylesbury to also share his experiences - not bad for man that is 87 years old!

In his spare time you can also find him at Bletchley Park, the home of the Enigma programme, giving a helping hand to Geoff, David and Linda Baulk who run a section of Bletchley Park dedicated to the memory of D Company.

Over the years they have collected a vast array of memoriablia connected with all things Pegasus (see page 193 of my book).

Here is a picture of Tich and my Dad, 'sparring' at the opening of the Pegasus Memorial museum in 2000, (they boxed together for the regeiment during the war) and also one of 'Nobby' Clark, 'Tich', me and Barry Tappenden at my Dad's gun, when I spread his ashes in June 2006.

On April 28th my wife, Diane, and I visited Bletchley Park for a book signing. There we met with Geoff, Linda & David Baulk and Tich Rayner.

Here some pictures ..... click on the thumbnail to see a larger image.

Linda, David & Geoff Baulk with me as I sign my book.	Geoff outside some of the exhibits he has put together.	Tich Rayner beside his picture.
Linda, Geoff & David beside a model of Pegasus Bridge.	Tich Rayner with a friend, Marion.	A model of Ted 'Ham & Jam' Tappenden, the radio operator.
A model of Wagger Thornton firing his Piât Gun.	Diane & I letting Tich have a well earned rest.

Barry Parr 30th May 2007

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