9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
25/04/1892
Died:
22/11/1915 (Died of Illness)
Age:
23
Summary
Robert Rainey was the youngest son of George and Mary Rainey. He was born on 25th April 1892 in Errigal, Ballygawley, County Tyrone. He was one of nine children, all born in the Ballygawley area. Private Robert Rainey was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of pneumonia in France on 22 November 1915. Robert was 22 years old. Private Rainey was one of three soldier sons. Robert and William George Rainey were killed and the third was discharged on account of wounds.
Further Information
Robert Rainey was the youngest son of George and Mary Rainey. George Rainey and Mary McKeown were married on 16th March 1880 in the district of Dungannon.
Robert Rainey was born on 25th April 1892 in Errigal, Ballygawley, County Tyrone. He was one of nine children, all born in the Ballygawley area.
Family: George Rainey, Mary Rainey, Elizabeth Rainey (born 2nd April 1881), Mary Rainey (born 4th August 1882), Charlotte Rainey (born 25th March 1884), William John Rainey (born 13th May 1886), James Rainey (born 3rd July 1888), Margaret Rainey (born about 1891), Robert Rainey (born 25th April 1892), George Rainey (born 17th February 1894, died 20th February 1894), Susanna Annie Rainey (born 23rd September 1895).
The 1901 census records Robert as 8 years old. The family lived in Garvaghy, Errigal, Ballygawley, County Tyrone. George Rainey was a farmer.
The 1911 census records Robert as 18. Robert worked on his father's farm. The family still lived in Garvaghy, Errigal, Ballygawley.
Robert Rainey enlisted in Omagh.
Private Robert Rainey arrived in France with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 5th October 1915.
Private Robert Rainey was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of pneumonia in France on 22nd November 1915.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 1st December 1915:
Intimation has just come to hand of the death of Private Robert Rainey, of Garvaghey, County Tyrone, who succumbed to pneumonia after an illness of only a few days duration. Private Rainey was amongst the first to volunteer for active service after the war broke out, joining the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Tyrone Volunteers). He was with his regiment in France when his death occurred. The deceased, who was a son of Mr and Mrs George Rainey, has an older brother, Private John Rainey, previously a member of the R.I.C., undergoing training with the Irish Guards.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 13 April 1916:
Other casualties from the Inniskilling include 11042, Private Rainey, R., died of pneumonia, November 22, 1915. His father is Mr George Rainey, Garvaghy, Ballygawley
Private Rainey was one of three soldier sons. Both Robert and William George Rainey were killed. The third was discharged on account of wounds.
Private Robert Rainey is buried in Beauval Communal Cemetery, France. Beauval is a village on the main road (N25) between Amiens and Doullens, about 24 kilometres north of Amiens. His inscription reads: IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR BOB SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS
The CWGC records Private Robert Rainey as the son of George and Mary Rainey of Garvaghey, Ballygawley, County Tyrone.
Private Robert Rainey is listed on page 18 of the Ballygawley War Dead book, compiled by Drew Robinson.
