Foster Raine

Rank 
Chaplain 4th Class (Captain)
Regiment 
Army Chaplains' Department
Date of death 
7 December 1918
Age of death 
29
Cemetery / Memorial 
United Kingdom
Biography 

The “F. Raine” on this memorial is less likely to be Pvt. Frank Raine of the Durham Light Infantry whose background is in the North East. Because of the religious connection it is believed to refer to Foster Raine.

Born in 1889 at Prudhoe Northumberland, son of Foster (United Methodist Church Minister) and Sarah Agnes Raine. 1901: With his family at Appleby Westmorland. 1911: A Theological Student at the United Methodist College, Victoria Park, Manchester. His father died in 1912 at Rotherham. 

In July 1915 he married Ida Nance at St Martin’s, Isle of Scilly, and was also ordained. He initially joined the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Private, before being commissioned into the Army Chaplains Department on 28th December 1916. Taking up duty in January 1917, he was later involved with the retreat of the 5th Army, and the fighting around St. Quentin during the 1918 German Spring Offensive. He was a hardworking Chaplain, often holding seven or eight Sunday services in different parts of his District. During the week he would organise religious and recreational meetings for the men.

Having survived the war he left France and on 7th December 1918 was travelling by rail warrant from Paddington to Plymouth North Road Station en route to joining his wife and two sons at Bleak House St Martin’s.

When the 05.10 train arrived at North Road Station the Guard, Mr. A. Bristow, discovered the body of Captain Raine in one of the carriages. The body was in a kneeling position with a silk scarf tied around the neck. The other end of the scarf was attached to the overhead luggage rack. Although cut down at once, the body was found to be lifeless. It was noted that he appeared to be wearing a pair of ladies high heeled boots.

The inquest heard praise for Rev. Raine as an individual and for the work he had done in France. It is questionable just what effect the stresses and horrors of war may have had on him, while remaining outwardly strong and dependable for those looking to him for support. A verdict of suicide during temporary insanity was recorded.

Foster Raine now rests in the peace of St Martin’s Churchyard on the Isles of Scilly.

His son, also called Foster lost his life as a Royal Navy Signaler in December 1942 while serving on HM Trawler “Kelt” in Nigeria. He was a victim of the petrol fire and explosions which occurred in Apapa Harbour Lagos.

Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian

Sources:

Ancestry.com

British Newspaper Archive