Main CPGW Record
Surname: RAINFORD
Forename(s): Caesar Tillotson
Place of Birth: Colne, Lancashire
Service No: G/22938
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 'C' Coy 11th (Service) Battalion. (Lambeth)
Division: 41st Division
Age: 19
Date of Death: 1917-09-21
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 14 to 17.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: EARBY, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: KELBROOK, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Caesar Tillotson Rainford was the son of Harry and Eliza Ellen Rainford, formerly Whittaker, née Tillotson. Harry was born at Bingley, Yorkshire and Eliza at Colne, Lancashire.
1901 Colne, Lancashire Census: 34b, Waterside Road - Caesar T. Rainford, aged 2 years, born Colne, son of Harry and Eliza E. Rainford.
1911 Kelbrook, Yorkshire Census: Stone Trough Inn - Caesar Tillotson Rainford, aged 12 years, born Colne, Lancashire, son of Harry and Eliza Ellen Rainford.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Caesar T. Rainford, G/22938, The Queens R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Caesar Tillotson Rainford, G/22938, 11th R.W.S.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Caesar Tillotson Rainford, G/22938, 11/Bn R. W. Surrey Regt. Date and Place of Death: 21.9.17. France [sic]. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother and Sole Legatee - Eliza E. £4 11s. 11d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Caesar.
Caesar was killed in action during the Battles of Ypres, 1917, 31 July-10 November, at the Battle of the Menin Road, 20-25 September.
Caesar is commemorated on the Colne War Memorial.
See also:
‘Earby in the First World War’ by Stephanie Carter, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2014).
‘Our Finest Crop’ by Steven Marshall, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2020).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
RAINFORD, G. T., Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment, Stone Trough Inn, killed in action Sept. 21, 1917.
---
Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.
Private Caesar Tillotson RAINFORD
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 41st Division
---
---
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
26 October 1917
KELBROOK – SOLDIER’S DEATH CONFIRMED
Uncertainty as to the authenticity of a report received a fortnight ago of the death in France of Private Caesar T. Rainford, Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Rainford, Stone Trough Inn, Kelbrook, has been set at rest by the receipt of the following letter from Captain Hopkinson, ‘C’ Company:–
“Dear Mr. and Mrs. Rainford, – Your letter of the 13th inst. to hand. I am deeply sorry to have to inform you that your son was killed in action on 21st September. This information was given me by some of my men; I was not in command of this Company at the time. I think the regimental paymaster must have made a mistake in the date if he said he died on the 8th. The returned letter marked ‘Admitted Field Ambulance’ was the result of a slight wound – merely a scratch – he received. After that he rejoined his Company and went over the top with the rest of them, and was killed doing his duty, which is the finest sacrifice a man can make for his country and all he holds dear. Not having been there myself I cannot say exactly where he was buried, but it was probably among many other poor fellows near Bodmin Copse, near Tower Hamlets. If you will write to the Graves Registration Officer, c/o myself, I will forward him the letter, and I expect he will be able to give you more exact information, if anyone can. I feel that no words of mine can relieve your sorrow; but you must hope to meet him again in the world to come, as it is believed that all who lay down their lives for their country go to Heaven; so those who are left must endeavour to lead their lives so that they may follow where their loved ones have gone. Assuring you of the deep sympathy of myself and all ranks under my command. Believe me, yours truly, J. A. LILBURNE HOPKINSON, Capt.”
Private Rainford was 19 years of age. He enlisted in January and went out to France in June.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
26 October 1917
KELBROOK SOLDIER’S DEATH CONFIRMED
Uncertainly [Uncertainty] as to the authenticity of a report received a fortnight ago of the death in France of Private Caesar T. Rainford, Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rainford, Stone Trough Inn, Kelbrook, has been set at rest by the receipt of the following letter from Captain Hopkinson, ‘C’ Company:– “Dear Mr. and Mrs. Rainford, – Your letter of the 13th inst. to hand. I am deeply sorry to have to inform you that your son was killed in action on 21st September. This information was given me by some of my men; I was not in command of this company at the time. I think the regimental paymaster must have made a mistake in the date if he said he died on the 8th. The returned letter marked ‘Admitted Field Ambulance’ was the result of a slight wound – merely a scratch – he received.
“After that he rejoined his company and went over the top with the rest of them, and was killed doing his duty, which is the finest sacrifice a man can make for his country and all he holds dear. Not having been there myself I cannot say exactly where he was buried but it was probably among many other poor fellows near Bodmin Copse near Tower Hamlets. If you will write to the Graves Registration Officer, c/o myself, I will forward him the letter, and I expect he will be able to give you more exact information, if anyone can. I feel that no words of mine can relieve your sorrow, but you must hope to meet him again in the world to come, as it is believed that all who lay down their lives for their country go to heaven; so those who are left must endeavour to lead their lives so that they may follow where their loved ones have gone. Assuring you of the deep sympathy of myself and all ranks under my command. – Believe me, yours truly, J. A. Lilburne Hopkinson, Capt.”
Private Rainford was 19 years of age. He enlisted in January and went out to France in June.
Comment on this Soldier Record
You can leave comments on this soldier record. Please note all comments will be manually approved before they appear on the website.
No comments yet.