The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. D N Rains

Douglas Norman Rains was born in Great Ouseburn, Yorkshire in 1919, the son of Albert Henry Rains and Ethel Rains (nee Challoner).

His father was shown in the 1911 census as a salesman of cotton goods. While his father was working in London Rains attended Beverley College in Barnes.

Once the family returned north he was educated at Stockport Grammar School. Another move meant that he completed his education at Taunton School in Somerset. On leaving he trained as a salesman with the Templeton Carpet Company in Manchester.

Rains joined the RAF on 2nd May 1939 as an Aircrafthand. He later remustered as an Airman u/t WOp/AG and, with training completed, he joined 248 Squadron at Sumburgh on 18th August 1940.

He was killed on 12th August 1942, as a Flight Sergeant aged 22.

Wellington VIII T2919 of 7 (Coastal) OTU struck Coal Hill, Londonderry when lost in cloud on a navigation exercise.

Sgt. SJ Huckelsby and Sgt. HL Baker were also killed.

Rains is buried in St George's churchyard, Poynton. When his father (described as a company director) was granted probate on 28th January 1943, the address given for DN Rains was Southfield, London Road, Poynton.