CHARLES RAINEY
Born: 25th September 1891, 22, Linwood Street, Shankill, Antrim, Belfast, Ireland.
Died: 6th June 1915; age: 23; Died of Wounds – compound fracture to the femur, at the East Suffolk and Ipswich Hospital.
Residence: 21, Druce Street, Old Park Road, Belfast, Ireland.
Occupation: Labourer;
First Enlistment Location: Belfast, Ireland; Date: January 1909; Age: 18; Residence: 31, Ballycastle Street, Old Park Road, Belfast; Religion: Church of Ireland. Height: 5ft 4 1/4ins, fresh complexion, blue eyes & fair hair. Large birthmark on the front right upper arm.
Service reckons from the 26th February 1909 – Private – service number 9273 – Royal Irish Rifles.
Aldershot – 2nd March 1909
Declared a Deserter – 10th April 1911.
Apprehended – 15th May 1911
Rejoined – 21st May 1911
Guards detention room awaiting trail – 21st May 1911 – 30th May 1911
Trail by D.G.M. 31st May 1911 – “Desertion & Losing Kit” sentenced to 28-day detention & stoppages.
To detention – 4th June 1911.
All former service forfeited on conviction of desertion, service now reckons from 4th November 1911.
Returns to duty on remission for good conduct – 23rd June 1911.
Awarded 21 days detention by commanding officer – 28th August 1911
Guard detention room – 29th August 1911
Awaiting trial – 7th August 1911
Tried by D.G.M. – 8th September 1911 – “Stealing money the property of a comrade and sentenced to 56 days imprisonment with hard labour and to be discharged with Ignominy from H.M. Service 10 days imprisonment with hard labour permitted.
To prison – 19th September 1911.
Discharged – Private – 9272 – 18th September 1911 having been sentenced to be discharged with Ignominy.
Served 2 years & 205 days.
Rank: Rifleman; Service Number: 4/7163.
Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles, ‘A’ Coy, 1st Battalion.
Grave Reference:
D.18.27.
Ipswich.
Relatives Notified & Address: Husband of Frances Johnston (formerly Rainey), of 24, Crumlin Street, Crumlin Road, Belfast, Ireland.
CENSUS
1901 17, Ballyclare Street, Clifton, Antrim, Ireland.
Charles was 11 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Samuel Rainey, 45, a Driller – Foundry, born Belfast.
Sarah Jane Rainey (nee Welsh), 41, born Belfast.
William John Rainey, 17, a Brass Moulder, born Belfast.
Thomas Henry Rainey, 15, a Machinist, born Belfast.
Joseph McCartney Rainey, 13, born Belfast.
David Welsh Rainey, 7, born Belfast.
Sarah Jane Rainey, 4, born Belfast.
Samuel Rainey, 6 months, born Belfast.
Charles, his parents and older brothers could read & write. The family were the Church of Ireland.
1911 Citadel Barracks, Western Heights, Dover Castle, Dover, Kent.
Charles was 21 years old, a Soldier ranked Rifleman for the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles.
On the 9th July 1913, at St. Anne’s Church of Ireland Church, Belfast, Ireland, Charles married Frances Trelfall, born June 1896, Ireland.
They had 1 son:
Samuel Rainey, born January 1915, Belfast, Ireland.
Soldiers’ Effects to Frances Johnston – widow.
Evening Star – Thursday, 10th June 1915 – FUNERAL OF A SOLDIER AT IPSWICH – The funeral of Private Charles Rainey, of the 1st Royal Irish Rifles, took place at Ipswich Cemetery. The deceased died at the East Suffolk and Ipswich Hospital from wounds received at the Front. The cortege proceeded to the Cemetery by way of St. Matthew’s and Tavern Street, headed by a firing party and the drum-and-fife band of the 10th London Regiment; then came the gun carriage, bearing the coffin, draped with the Union Jack, about 50 rank-and-file bringing up the rear. The service at the Cemetery was conducted by the Reverend C. J. Howard, curate of St. Matthew’s Church. At the conclusion three volleys were fired, and the bugles sounded the “Last Post.” The mourners were Mrs. Rainey (the widow), Mrs. Pretty, and Mrs. Hines. The coffin was of polished oak, with black fittings, the breastplate reading – “Private C. Rainey, died 6th June 1915, aged 24 years.” The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Hastings and Son, under the supervision of Mr. P. Hastings.
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