The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. W Raine

Woodrow Raine was born on 4th November 1918 in Haltwhistle, Northumberland, the son of James Henry and Annie Raine.

He was educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Hexham and after leaving he was on the Editorial staff of the 'Hexham Courant'.

Raine 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.

610 Squadron Westhampnett July 1941

All captions left to right.

Back row : P/O A Gaze, Sgt. AS Doley, Sgt. JEW Ballard, P/O JEI Grey, P/O JR Stoop, Sgt. LE Philpotts

Middle row: P/O B Bartholomew, F/O WE Lloyd, F/O RWCH le Fleming, F/Lt. RAL Knight, S/Ldr. K Holden, F/Lt. D Crowley-Milling, P/O More, F/O Higson, P/O GT Hugill

Front row: Sgt. F McWatt, Sgt. SG Main, Sgt. D Wright, Sgt. RW Richardson, Sgt. W Raine, Sgt. Day

(Clasp holders : F/Lt. RAL Knight, S/Ldr. K Holden, F/Lt. D Crowley-Milling, Sgt. RW Richardson, Sgt. W Raine)

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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.