PRIVATE G. RAINEY, 21ST BATTALION DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY. Three: 1914-15 Star (unofficially

THE 1914-15 STAR TRIO WORN BY PRIVATE G. RAINEY, DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY, WHO SAW SERVICE CONSECUTIVELY WITH THE 21ST, 20TH, 13TH AND 1/8TH BATTALIONS DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY AND WAS WOUNDED IN ACTION AND TAKEN PRISONER OF WAR ON 27TH MAY 1918 WHILST SERVING WITH THE 1/8TH BATTALION DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY. Three: 1914-15 Star (renamed, contemporary re-engraved naming in plain block capital numbers and letters: 21-211 PTE. G. RAINEY DURH. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (both officially named, impressed in plain block capital numbers and letters: 21-211 PTE. G. RAINEY. DURH. L.I.).

Replacement suspension ring on Victory Medal, generally Extremely Fine.

Group accompanied by copied Medal Index card, extract WW1 medal roll, copied Red Cross Prisoner of War Record cards (2) and extract 1939 England and Wales Register.

George Rainey was born on 31/7/1898. Medal index card confirms that Rainey originally saw service with the 21st Battalion Durham Light Infantry and that he was only entitled to the British War and Victory Medals, the 1914-15 Star being a “self award”. The WW1 medal roll confirms that Rainey subsequently saw service with the 20th, 13th and 1/8th Battalions Durham Light Infantry.

Red Cross Prisoner of War records confirm that Rainey was wounded in action and taken prisoner on 27/5/1918 (first day, Battle of the Aisne, 27th May – 6th June 1918), gives his next of kin as his mother, Mrs M. Rainey of Hyde Street, South Shiels, and records Rainey as having initially been incarcerated at Dulmen POW Camp prior to being transferred to the Munster II POW Camp on 5/8/1918.

The 1/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (Territorial Force) saw service initially with the Durham Light Infantry Brigade, Northumbrian Division. On 14/5/1915 that formation became the 151st Brigade, 50th Division. Rainey was serving with the 1/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in the 151st Brigade, 50th Division, when he was taken prisoner of war on 27/5/1918.

The 1939 England and Wales Register records Rainey as a 41 year old, married, watch and clock repairer, resident in South Shields, County Durham.