Rainey, William Alexander

Squadron Leader William Alexander Rainey DFC (known as Bill)

Rainey was born at Bushmills on 15th December 1910 to John Alexander Rainey, Cycle Maker and Jane Rainey nee McBride. They had married at Bushmills on 26th August 1908.

Rainey joined the Belfast Banking Company. Mrs Jane Rainey (mother) and John Rainey (brother) signed his Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

 
The London Gazette (1943) records a W A Rainey with Service Number 123607. Bill served in the RAF and attained the rank of Squadron Leader and as a Bomber Pilot he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. His citation reads:

"This officer has consistently displayed the utmost courage, fortitude and devotion to duty in many hazardous operations against enemy targets by day and night."

Distinguished Flying Cross

Following demobilisation, Rainey returned to Ballymena.

The Belfast Telegraph of 13th May 1949 reports that W A Rainey passed his Final examinations of the Institution of Bankers in Ireland.

His community service was recognised in 1960 when he was made a Justice of the Peace (JP) for County Antrim. He also holds the Gold Badge, the highest award of the RAF Association for outstanding service.

Rainey is recorded in the 1956 and 1966 annual accounts of the Belfast Banking Company as being manager of Ballymena branch.

Former Belfast Bank, Ballymena branch

In sport, Rainey has represented Ulster in tennis and hockey and he was a single handicap golfer at Royal Portrush Golf Club.

He holds the Diploma of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland.

 
The Staff Magazine ‘The Link of Summer 1970 and Summer 1974 contain photographs of Bill.

Rainey died on 10th July 1978 and is buried in Ballyclug Churchyard, Ballymena. The cremated remains of his son, Christopher Alexander Rainey (1936 to 1988) have also been placed in the grave.