Oct 10, 1891

Born in London, England

Nov 11, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59817 (temporary number 110)

Ø  Next of kin given as Walter H. Rainey, brother, Sacketts Harbor, New York, USA

o   This was later changed to read Walter Rainey, brother, Band, 37^th Infantry, San Antonio, Texas

Ø  Previous occupation given as laborer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Assigned to “A” Company

o   Later transferred to “C” Company

 
He was eventually assigned as the Batman to Major H.E. Pense

 
The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

Mar 13, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Contused Left Leg.  He was transferred the same day to the Divisional Rest Station at the No. 6 CFA

Mar 19, 1916

Discharged to duty from the rest station

Jun 5, 1916

Granted leave until June 13, 1916

Jun 13, 1916

Leave extended to June 15, 1916

Jun 24, 1916

While the battalion was in the front line 33 to 38 trench system, near Verbande Molen, on the Ypres Salient in Belgium, they came under heavy enemy artillery, mortar and rifle grenade fire.  Private Rainey received serious wounds to his back and was evacuated to the No. 5 CFA for first aid.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 3 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for further treatment.  He was serving as the Batman to Major H.E. Pense at the time he received his wounds.

Jun 30, 1916

Private Rainey was transferred via the No. 31 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 13 Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne, France for further treatment.

Jul 2, 1916

He was placed on the seriously ill list

Jul 17, 1916

Private Rainey died of his wounds while a patient in the No. 13 Canadian General Hospital and was buried in the nearby Boulogne Eastern Cemetery there.

A photo of the cemetery in 1918 with the original wood crosses
that were put in place

Following the war, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to his brother, Walter H. Rainey, Band, 4^th Coastal Artillery Corps, Fort Monroe, Virginia, USA

 
The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his brother, John Rainey, Hartlip, Sittingbourne, Kent, England

 
There was no Memorial Cross issued