Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Burma 1885-7, Sikkim 1888 (49627 Actg. Bombr. W. Raines, No. 9 By. 1st Bde. N. Dn. R.A.), edge bruise, very fine £320-360

William Raines was a native of the parish of Locking, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, where he was born circa 1866. A gardener by occupation, he attested for the Royal Artillery at Chester in July 1885, aged 19 years. He subsequently served for 7 years and 193 days in India, during which period he participated in Burma 1885-87 operations (Medal & clasp; WO 100/69 refers); the ‘High Himalaya’ kingdom of Sikkim operations of 1888, when 9th Battery was the only R.A. unit so employed (clasp; WO 100/74 refers); and the Miranzai Expedition on the North-West Frontier of India between 8 April to 23 May 1891, for which he was additionally entitled to the clasp for ‘Samana 1891’ (WO 100/75 refers).

On 23 April 1893, William Raines embarked for return to the United Kingdom, and took his final discharge from the British Army on 6 July 1897. At discharge, William indicated that his intended place of residence was Grove Lodge, Weston-Super-Mare; his service papers are extant and are accessible from The National Archives.