Photo: Dorothy Hall
In Barnard Castle Nonconformist Cemetery is a headstone which reads:-
In loving memory of
a dear father and husband
Charles Ewbank Raine
died July 11th 1927
aged 70 years
also his wife
Alice Thompson
died Oct. 13th 1927
aged 68 years
and their son
Charles William
killed in action Nov. 4th 1918
aged 20 years
At rest
Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Charles William, the son of Charles Ewbank Raine and Alice (nee Thompson) was born in 1886. The whole family including his 5 siblings were born at Barnard Castle.
The 1901 census shows the family living at 6 Horsemarket where father Charles had a successful plumber/ironmonger business.
His siblings were Harry Ewbank, Lottie, Bertha, Olive and Charles William.
By 1911 with the family growing up several had found work. Harry was a surveyor/sanitary inspector with Barnard Castle Urban District Council, Lottie was a daily governess, Olive was a student.
After finishing his education Charles joined the 3rd Battalion Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment attached to 16th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. He went to France 18th September 1918 but only survived until 3rd November 1918.
The first indication of his death was a telegram from the War Office received by his parents around 6th November 1918. An article was later published in the Teesdale Mercury 20/11/1918.
In a later publication 27/11/1918 more details of his demise was given:-
Mr & Mrs Raine have received a letter from 2nd Lieutenant Austin of the Lancashire Fusiliers in which the writer says “It is with deepest regret that I write to inform you that your son 2nd Lt C W Raine was killed in action on 4th Nov and I must ask you to accept my most sincere sympathy in this sad bereavement. It will, I am sure, be gratifying to know that death was practically instantaneous so he suffered very little.
Mr Raine’s loss is felt very keenly not only in B Comp but in the whole battalion, for he was admired & respected by his fellow officers and also men alike. For myself, I was much attached to him as I was well acquainted with Barnard Castle and we discussed many pleasant memories centering on that town. I hope Mr Raine that you will find some consolation with the knowledge that his sacrifice has not been made in vain. He led his men nobly in the attack & died truly a hero’s death.”.
The King and Queen telegraphed from Buckingham Palace that they deeply regretted the loss which has been sustained by the death in service of his country.
Their Majesties truly sympathized with Mr and Mrs Raine in their sorrow.
The family had received a memorial Scroll from His Majesty, King George. He was much respected by his fellow officers and is described as being of a very amiable disposition. His death occurred just a short time before the Armistice was declared.
According to the family Charles and Wilfred Owen who were both 2nd Lieutenants serving in the same regiment, knew each other. Internet research shows that Wilfred was in the Manchesters, attached to the 2nd Battalion, and we know that Charles was in the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment), 3rd Battalion and attached to the Lancashire Fusiliers, 16th Battalion took part in that battle. Wilfred was killed on action during the crossing of the Sambre-Oise Canal. The Lancashire Fusiliers took part in that battle. Wilfred was killed on 4th 4th November 1918 a week before the signing of the Armistice, almost to the hour. Charles’ death occurred the day before Wilfreds’. It is probable, therefore, that the two men would have known each other being of the same rank in Regiments that both took part in the crossing of Sambre-oise Canal, and killed within a day of each other.
A young man of great promise, who in the morning of life, and within an hour or so of the bugle call to cease fire gallantly laid down his life for his country."
His headstone bears the dedication :- Let perpetual light shine upon him
Charles’ eldest brother, Harry, also served in the war. He was awarded the Military Cross. He was captured during the war and held as prisoner of war. The Military Cross was presented to him by George V.
On the Barnard Castle Methodist Organ Panel, Harry appears on the list of those who survived the war.
The Teesdale Mercury 27/11/1918 reports:-
In the course of the service on Sunday morning at the Wesleyan Church, the Rev. Robinson Lang made reference to the death of Lieutenant Charles Raine of Barnard Castle, a young man of great promise who in the morning of life and with in an hour or so of the bugle call to cease fire, gallantly laid down his life for his country. The respectful sympathy of the congregation was offered to the sorely bereaved family who in the moment of expected reunion had been called upon to pass through the depths of a great sorrow, which was been nobly borne.
The CWGC entry reads November 3rd 1918, headstone November 4th 1918.
Charles William Raine is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.04, B135.10, B135.12, B135.20, B135.23 and B135.25
