Little is known about his early upbringing, life in the late eighteenth century would have been a tough existence and Robert appears to have developed his father's metal dealer business, having had entries in Kelly's London Directory in 1914, 1915, 1920 and 1923 at 131 Hanbury Street, Spitalfields ; see map below.

On Sunday18 October 1896 he had married Mary Ann Elizabeth Kidney at The Holy Trinity Church, Mile End both were 22 years of age at the time, see copy certificate below.

The church today is closed to the public due to its structural condition, thus the photo taken below back in 1991 did not allow internal views to be taken.

Between 1897 and 1912 they had nine children, commencing with Robert Richard R5, Charles Edward R3 (my grandfather), Louise Emma R7, John Alfred R6, Doris Ethel R21, Alice Caroline R8, Lilian Florence R24, Rose Elizabeth R22 and finally Albert George R9.

The extract from the Raynham Tree at the end of this chapter provides a visual perspective on this large family group.

Much of the information about Robert came from four specific family sources his youngest son Albert George, his grandsons Robert Arnold Raynham R30, Charles George Raynham R2 (my father) and his granddaughter Iris Catherine Liston R28 By a most unfortunate coincidence these three male Raynhams all died during 1994.

One thing was clear that Robert was clearly a very large man, best described as "the huge man", Albert George stated that he had a chest measurement of 54 inches, a 24 inch collar and was 6' 7" tall. He was capable of completely filling a doorway; no doubt his size was a combination Raynham "bulk", his work in lifting scrap metal and his enjoyment of alcoholic drink.

In addition to the metal business he was probably running horses for hire service from a house and stables at 52 Stayners Road, Mile End , the family believes this was around 1915. This address is documented and reference is made of it in the chapter devoted to Robert's second son Charles Edward R3.

Albert George Raynham recalls that the scrap metal business went bust following the Great Strike of 1926 , precisely what triggered the demise of the business has not been ascertained. Albert thought it has something to do "tobacco machinery".

Robert died at 57 Fieldgate Street, Stepney on Wednesday 1 January 1930 at the age of 55 years. It would appear that in the family Robert Charles was known as Robert RICHARD and at his death the certificate was completed with this alternative second given name.

As he died relatively young an inquest was carried out two days later. Death was due to a rupture of the aorta, the coroner ordered the registrar to correct the second given name entry; see above copy death certificate.

In the family it was stated that he died penniless at Routon House , a known "doss house". It is possible that 57 Fieldgate Street is in fact the official address of Routon House.

Robert is believed to be buried at the East London Cemetery, Plaistow . His wife Mary Ann Elizabeth Raynham nee Kidney died at the age of 40 years in 1915 and believed to be buried at Plaistow.