The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. W Raine

Woodrow Raine, from Cumberland, joined the RAFVR about February 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. He was called up on 1st September and completed his training at 22 EFTS and 5 FTS. While converting to Spitfires at 7 OTU Hawarden he survived a forced landing in Spitfire N3269 on 18th September.

He was then posted to 610 Squadron at Acklington on 5th October 1940. On 19th November 1940 he had another escape when Spitfire I DW-U R6686 burst a tyre on landing at Acklington, the undercarriage leg collapsed and the aircraft tipped on its nose.

He was killed on 21st August 1941 in Spitfire Vb P8721 'P' which was shot down near Dunkirk by a Me109 during Circus 91.

Raine is buried in Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery, St. Omer.