Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Rainbow, a stationary engine stoker, born in the April quarter of 1853 in Leicester (son of James Rainbow, 1818-1903 and Mary Ann Cox, 1819-1896) and his wife Elizabeth Rainbow (nee Thornton, married on the 26th December 1871 in St. Margaret’s Church, Leicester), a hosiery trade linker, born in the April quarter of 1851 in Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire (daughter of William Thornton, 1818-1886 and Elizabeth Southam, 1829-1905). Percival Charles was born in the January quarter of 1886 in St. Mark’s, Leicester, his siblings were, Mary Elizabeth, a hosiery trade linker, born in the January quarter of 1872, Emma Jane, an errand girl, born on the 6th November 1876, Arthur Douglas, a schoolboy, born on the 3rd September 1884 and Frank, born in the October quarter of 1887, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at 72, Stanley Street, St. Matthew’s, Leicester.
Percival’s mother died aged 46 years in April 1897, and was interred on the 29th April in Welford Road Cemetery, Leicester.
In March 1901 Percival was absent from the family home at 72, Stanley Street, Leicester, residing there was his father, a joiner and carpenter, his step mother, Betsy Stannage (nee Harris, formerly Bond, married in the July quarter of 1898 in Leicester), born in the January quarter of 1852 in St. Peter’s, Derby, Derbyshire and siblings, Arthur, a joiner’s apprentice, Frank, an errand boy and Walter Harry, born in the April quarter of 1894, and two step siblings, Ellen Bond, a dressmaker, born in the April quarter of 1884 and William Joseph Bond, an errand boy, born on the 13th August 1885, the latter two step siblings were both born in Leicester, meanwhile Percival was serving aboard the School Ship, Indefatigable, this was for the schooling and training as Seamen, the orphans of sailors and other destitute children, and he was residing in Birkenhead, Cheshire.
In April 1911 Percival remained absent from the family home at 18, Bonsall Street, Leicester, residing there was his father, a joiner’s labourer, his step mother and step siblings, Ellen, a dressmaker and costumier and William, a draper’s porter, meanwhile Percival was serving as a Private with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was stationed at Fort Saint George, Madras, India.
Percival also had another sibling, Annie Matilda, who was born in the October quarter of 1878 in Leicester and who died aged 4 years in December 1882, and was interred on the 14th December in Welford Road Cemetery, Leicester.
Percival enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 7th February 1907 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 8093. He gave his place of birth as St. Mark’s, Leicester and age as 20 years. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as fitter.
He confirmed that he was presently serving with 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, Militia.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 7th February 1907 and recorded his birthplace as St. Mark’s, Leicester, declared age as 20 years, trade or occupation as fitter, that he was 5-feet 3 inches in height, weighed 118 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 35 inches, his vision was described as 6/6 his physical development was described as good. Enlisted at Leicester on the 7th February 1907. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 20 years, height 5-feet 3 inches weight 118 lbs, chest measurement of between 32 and 35 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was black. The following distinctive marks were noted, -?- scar little below left side of abdomen. Tattoo Union Jack left forearm. Tattoo Heart and True Love back of left hand. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 7th February 1907. Place Leicester.
After six months service and gymnastic course his height was 5-foot 3⅜ inches, his weight was 121 lbs and had a chest measurement of 36 inches.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Charles, younger brother Walter, 16, Bonsall Street, Leicester, older brother Arthur, Francis Street, Leicester, younger brother, Frank, Leicestershire Regiment, sisters, Mary Purdy, 72, Stanley Street, Leicester and Emma Green, 5, -?- Road, Leicester.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 7/2/07.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 7/2/07.
Awarded. 2nd Class Certificate of Army Education. 5/3/07.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Shorncliffe. 8/10/07.
Guard Detention Room Awaiting Trial. 4/6/08 – 11/6/08.
Tried by District Court Martial and sentenced to 14 days detention. 12/6/08.
To Detention Barracks. 15/6/08.
Transferred. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 4/3/09
Embarked. For India per H.T. Rohilla. 4/3/09 – 25/3/09.
Disembarked. At Belgaum. 26/3/09 – 5/3/11.
Posted. To Bellaray. 6/3/11 – 3/2/13.
Awarded. 1st Class Certificate of Army Education. 11/9/12.
Posted. To Bareilly. 11/2/13 – 14/3/13.
Posted. To Ranikhet. 19/3/13 – 20/10/13.
Posted. To Bareilly. 24/10/13 – 19/3/14.
Posted. To Ranikhet. 27/3/14.
Embarked. From Karachi. 16/9/14.
Disembarked. At Marseilles. 12/10/14.
Reported missing. In the Field. 25/9/15.
Regarded for official purposes as having died. In the Field. 25/9/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 7/2/07 – 3/3/09. 2 years 25 days.
India. 4/3/09 – 18/9/14. 5 years 199 days.
Voyage. 19/9/14 – 11/10/14. 22 days.
France. 12/10/14 – 25/9/15. 349 days
Total Service. 8 years 230 day.
He was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp & Rose, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 25 Sept-15 - At 5.30 am the Battalion was in positions of readiness in accordance with orders in four lines opposite their objective with bombing parties, sandbag parties and carrying parties all arranged and in position. At 6.00 am the first line got over the parapet quickly followed by the second, the left had to right form to get in line with the right as the trench ran back from a salient near the centre. As the first two lines went out the third and fourth filed into the vacant positions in the firing line. The gas affected a number of our men, and the smoke caused a dense fog and direction was difficult. Casualties began at once and the third line was ordered out to fill up gaps. Owing to the thick smoke it seemed likely that gaps would occur on the flanks and at 6.07 am the fourth line was sent out with special instructions to maintain touch with the units on either flank. At about 6.10 am the left were over the German parapet and our flag was seen flying on their lines. The left went forward with such dash that they outstripped the 2/8th GURKHAS and came in for a lot of fire from rifles and maxim guns from our right. This caused a good many casualties including all the officers and most of the NCOs of “A” Company which was the extreme left. Undeterred the men went on, got over the uncut wire and reached the road with parties of the 2/8th GURKHAS and gained their objective. In the meantime, our right had not fared so well. They went forward in good line under a heavy fire till held up by the German wire. A number of our men here were collected in the ditch in front of the German wire waiting for developments. Officer casualties. Killed Captain F. H. ROMILLY D.S.O., Captain E. C. DEANE, R.A.M.C. Died of wounds 2nd Lieutenant M. W. BROWNE. Wounded Lieutenant Colonel H. GORDON D.S.O., Captain W. C. WILSON, Lieutenant H. H. PHILLIPS, 2nd Lieutenant G. W. TANNER, 2nd Lieutenant H. H. HEMPHILL, 2nd Lieutenant V. E. ELLINGHAM, 2nd Lieutenant C. C. BAILEY, 2nd Lieutenant G. W. GROSSMITH. Slightly wounded Major F. LEWIS, Captain D. L. WEIR. Gassed 2nd Lieutenant W. WILSON. Missing and believed killed Lieutenant W. T. PICKIN, 2nd Lieutenant R. E. S. LODGE. Missing known to have been wounded 2nd Lieutenant C. G. WOODBOURN. Missing and no trace 2nd Lieutenant W. J. WILKINSON, 2nd Lieutenant E. A. WILKINSON, 2nd Lieutenant T. R. LONGCROFT. Rank and file casualties. Killed 72. Wounded 217. Gassed 42. Missing 96. Wounded slightly but did not quit Battalion 3. What was left of the Battalion were relieved from the front line by the 2/39th GARWHAL RIFLES at 6.30 pm and moved into support and local reserve just in rear. Before the operations began the Battalion worked for a week in strengthening the front line and preparing the defences behind. Four very strong lines were constructed capable of resisting the enemy’s bombardment.
On Tuesday, December 7th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. – LEICESTER ROLL OF HONOUR. - (A photograph accompanied the article). – Pte. P. C. RAINBOW, brother of W. H., also of 2nd Leicester’s, missing since Sept. 25th of the present year.