Career
Rayner joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1928. He served in the Second World War as Commanding Officer of the destroyer HMCS Skeena and then of the destroyer HMCS Saint Laurent during 1940, as Staff Officer Operations to the Commander Atlantic Coast from 1942 and as Commanding Officer of the destroyer HMCS Huron from 1943 before becoming Director of Plans in 1944. He went on to be Commanding Officer of the destroyer HMCS Nootka in 1946, Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Section at the shore establishment HMCS Stadacona in 1947 and Commandant of the Canadian Services College Royal Roads in 1948.
After that he became Secretary to the Chiefs of Staff Committee in 1950, Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier HMCS Magnificent in 1953 and Naval Assistant to the Chief of the Naval Staff 1955.
His last appointments were as Chief of Naval Personnel in 1955, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific in 1957 and as Chief of the Naval Staff from 1960 until retiring in 1964.
