His niece Jean writes:
I am a niece of Fred Raine, my late mother being his youngest sister. Incidentally she always believed he was alive somewhere and only shed tears on Remembrance Day, and said how very close they were but we were never told anything else. The only picture of him went missing when my mother became ill in later life. I have researched the following information and would like to think that someone may have other information or a photograph.
Born in 1898 at West Auckland Uncle Fred was the only surviving son of William Raine and Hannah Elizabeth, formerly Hodgson. There were 4 girls. At some point the family moved to Sacriston and lived at 14 Elliot Street.
My grandfather died in August 1917. I have Uncle Fred's death certificate now showing he lost his life in France and Flanders on April 20th also 1917, presumably in battle in Arras where his name is commemorated on Bay 9 in the Faubourg d' Amiens cemetery. My daughter and I visited the Commonwealth War Grave memorial about 3 years ago which offered us some comfort. There is no grave only his recorded name and regiment, 1st Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Records show he tried to enlist in 1914 and was assigned to the King's Own Yorkshire Regiment but was discharged shortly afterwards because of his young age. He later joined the Notts and Derbyshire Regiment, as a reserve, from where he was assigned to the RDF.
As there were no men left in the family after my grandfather's death, my mother, who would have been 12 years old, and grandmother moved to Consett to be with an older married sister. No next of kin info is held by the CWGC, presumably because of moving away from the home address after my grandfather's death the same year. Some time ago in the early stages of research I visited the community centre in Sacriston but couldn't see the other memorials although spoke to someone who said he had been a member of the Boys Brigade.
I have attempted to add a brief story to one young man's name, among the many, who gave his life for his country in WW1.
Frederick Robert Raine is remembered at Sacriston on S113.04 S113.07 and S113.11
