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, 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), born in the April quarter of 1851 in Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire (daughter of William Thornton, 1818-1886 and Elizabeth Southam, 1829-1905). Walter Harry was born in the April quarter of 1894 in Leicester. Walter’s mother died aged 46 years in April 1897, and was interred on the 29th April in Welford Road Cemetery, Leicester. In March 1901 Walter was residing in the family home at 72, Stanley Street, Leicester, together with 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 Douglas, a joiner’s apprentice, born on the 3rd September 1884 and Frank, an errand boy, born in the October quarter of 1887, the latter two siblings were both born in Leicester 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. In April 1911 Walter was 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 Walter was serving as a Private with the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was stationed in Aldershot, Hampshire.
Walter also had the following siblings, Mary Elizabeth, born in the January quarter of 1872 in Leicester, Emma Jane, born on the 6th November 1876 in Leicester, 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 and Percival Charles, born in the January quarter of 1886 in St. Mark’s, Leicester.
Walter enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 30th June 1909 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 1016. He gave his place of birth as St. Luke’s, Leicester and age as -?-. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as -?-.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Charles Rainbow, 18, Bonsall Street, Mere Road, Leicester, brothers Frank and Percy, Leicestershire Regt.
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. 30/6/09.
Posted. To 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 30/6/09.
Attended. Annual training, High Tor Farm. 1/8/09 – 15/8/09.
Joined. 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. (Special Reserve). Pte. 19/2/10.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 30/6/09 – 18/2/10.
Total Service. 234 days.
Walter enlisted/attested into the Army Reserve (Special Reservists) on the 19th February 1910 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 10574. He gave his place of birth as St. Luke’s, Leicester and age as 17 years 10 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as groom.
He confirmed that he was presently serving with 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Territorial Force.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 19th February 1910 and recorded his birthplace as St. Luke’s, Leicester, declared age as 17 years 10 months, trade or occupation as groom, that he was 5-feet 4¾ inches in height, weighed 119 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 31 and 33½ inches, his vision was described as R.D.6/L.D.6 his physical development was described as good. Enlisted at Leicester on the 19th February 1910. Joined on enlistment 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 17 years 10 months, height 5-feet 4¾ inches weight 119 lbs, chest measurement of between 31 and 33½ inches, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, scar left of forehead. He gave his religion as Primitive Methodist.
He was certified as fit for the Army Reserve. Date 19th February 1910. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Charles Rainbow, 18, Bonsall Street, Leicester, brother (o) Arthur Douglas, 139, Gresham Street, Leicester, brother (o) Percival Charles, Leicestershire Regt., brother (o) Frank, Leicestershire Regt., sister Mary Elizabeth Purdy, 24, Thurlby Road, Leicester, sister Emma Green, 1, Bradgate View, Kirby Muxloe.
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. 19/2/10.
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 19/2/10.
Posted. To Leicester. 19/2/10 – 25/6/10.
Awarded. 3rd Class Certificate of Army Education. 16/3/10.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 19/2/10 – 25/5/10. 96 days.
Total Service. 96 days.
Walter enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 26th May 1910 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 8977. He gave his place of birth as St. Luke’s, Leicester and age as 18 years 1 month. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as groom.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 26th May 1910 and recorded his birthplace as St. Luke’s, Leicester, declared age as 18 years 1 month, trade or occupation as groom, that he was 5-feet 5⅛ inches in height, weighed 122 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34½ inches, his vision was described as R.6. L.6. his physical development was described as good. Enlisted at Leicester on the 26th May 1910. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Charles Rainbow, 18, Bonsall Street, Leicester. brother (o) Arthur D., 56, Elm Street, Leicester, brother (o) Percival, 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt., brother (o) Frank, 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt., sister (o) Mary E. Purdy, 24, Thurlby Road, Leicester, sister (o), Emma J. Green, 1, Bradgate View, Kirby Muxloe.
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. 26/5/10.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 26/5/10.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 10/6/10.
Posted. To Aldershot. 10/6/10 – 27/9/12.
Admitted. To Hospital, Aldershot, skin condition. 17/11/10 – 21/11/10.
Admitted. To Hospital, Aldershot, boils. 2/5/11 – 17/5/11.
Awarded. 2nd Class Certificate of Army Education. 21/7/11.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (unpaid). 29/8/11.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (paid). 30/11/11.
Admitted. To Hospital, Aldershot, colic. 7/3/12 – 26/3/12.
Passed. For promotion to Rank of Corporal. 8/10/12.
Promoted. Corporal. 5/4/13.
Promotion, Antedated. 20/3/13.
Posted. To Fermoy. 28/9/12 – 22/9/13.
Passed. For promotion to Rank of Sergeant. 20/6/13.
Admitted. To Hospital, Fermoy, boils. 22/10/12 – 26/10/12.
Transferred. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Cpl. 24/9/13.
Voyage. To India per H.T. Dongola. 23/9/13 – 14/10/13.
Posted. To Bareilly. 17/10/13 – 22/3/14.
Admitted. To Hospital, Bareilly, diarrhoea. 4/11/13 – 12/11/13.
Posted. To Ranikhet. 23/3/14.
Admitted. To Hospital, Ranikhet, abrasion left knee. 26/4/14 – 2/5/14.
Admitted. To Hospital, Ranikhet, sand fly fever. 25/5/14 – 21/6/14.
Tried by Regimental Court Martial and sentenced to be reduced to the ranks for: - Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline. 19/8/14.
To duty. Pte. 20/8/14.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 26/5/10 – 23/9/13. 3 years 121 days.
India. 24/9/13 – 19/9/14. 361 days.
Voyage. To France. 20/9/14 – 11/10/14. 22days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 12/10/14 – 24/11/14. 44 days.
Total Service. 4 years 183 days.
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: 24 Nov-14 – Report by Major H. GORDON on operations by “B” and “C” Companies night of 23/24 November: - About 4:00am I took “B” and “C” Companies up the communicating trench to a point about 70x from the part of the fire trench occupied by the Germans, this fire trench was in prolongation of the trench held by 107th PIONEERS. This Regiment had been sent up to attack and recapture the part of the trench held by the enemy. This was the right of the German trench. Unknown to us the 1/39 Garwhals had been sent to attack the left and subsequently it appeared they entered the left part of the trench at about 3:00am. Brigadier General EGERTON ordered 1 Company 2nd LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT to attack the trench in flank and 1 Company 107th PIONEERS to extend to our left while 1 Company of each Regiment was to be in reserve. I ordered “B” Company to lead and put “C” Company in support. “B” Company got out in good order and gained their position by moving along a natural ditch parallel to and about 15x in rear of the fire trench. The Company of PIONEERS who were to form on our left also got into position. When the advance began the PIONEERS for the most part, instead of prolonging to our left closed on to “B” Company and hampered their movement. Captain H. A. GRANT led his men into the enemy’s trench and here he and 2nd Lieutenant M. W. SETON-BROWNE were killed. The enemy retired and we killed a number of them in their retirement. The Officer Commanding the PIONEER Company came back and reported that his men were unable to advance on account of heavy losses. I went forward and separated our men from the PIONEERS and brought them along to where the leading men of “B” Company had established themselves in the enemy’s trench. I then reported the situation to the General Officer Commanding who ordered a retirement from the trench. This took place about 6:00am and by 7:00am I had got away all the wounded. Subsequently it transpired that the 1/39 GARWHALS actually joined up to this part of the trench captured by us at about 6:30am. At 8:30 am I left FESTUBERT with the 2 Companies to proceed to billets at GORRE, when we came under shrapnel fire. E and D’s. Remainder of Battalion (Headquarters, “A”, “D” Companies, Machine Gun and 1st LINCOLNS) returned to GORRE remaining in reserve under orders of General MACBEAN Commanding BAREILLY Brigade. Arrived at GORRE 1:45am 24th eventually returned to billets at LA COUTRE during early afternoon.
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. W. H. RAINBOW, 2nd Leicester’s, missing since Nov. 24th, 1914. Father, formerly of Leicester, now resides at Cheslyn Hay, Walsall.