Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
James was born at Bishop Auckland on October 20th 1885. He was the only child of Thomas and Elizabeth.
1901 sees the family at 49 Bridgegate, also with them at that time is 81-year-old mother in law, Eliza.
By 1911 the family were residing at 49 West End Terrace Barnard Castle from where James’s father had a coal merchant business which both James and his mother assisted with. They were able to afford a domestic servant.
James married Catherine Connell in March 1912 and they went on to have 3 daughters, Elizabeth Jane, Margaret Hannah who died on March 14th 1918 aged 4 and later Lily.
He attested for service on December 1st 1915 but his service did not count until August 1st 1917. His papers show him to be 5’6” in height and his faith was Church of England. He seems to have served as number 205416 with a Yorkshire Regiment before being transferred to the West Riding Regiment as 75208.
He was first reported as missing on War List No. 5616 on July 12th 1918.
James had been captured by the enemy and was sent to a prisoner of war camp at Merseburg which held 25,000 prisoners from which men were drafted to work camps. James worked at Schade Mine. He died as a result of an accident.
The following document no. 49 was issued regarding the death of Pte Raine :-
Gladitz on 21 September 1918
“The Commandant of the Prisoner of War camp at Merseburg has notified that the British Prisoner of War, James Raine No 7825, coal miner aged 31 years, Protestant Religion resident for the time being in the hut at Schade Mine near Gaumitz born on the 20th October 1885, to whom married unknown, was killed by an accident while mining in Schade Colliery at Flur Gladitz on 10 September 1918.”
His grave is located in Germany. An inscription was added which reads :- Rest in Peace
After his death the family received a scroll from His Majesty, King George. His service totalled 2 years and 284 days.
His wife received a pension of 25/5d for herself and two children with effect from June 16th 1919.
Catherine's brother George Sharp Connell also died in WW1.
James William Raine is remembered in Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.23 and B135.25
