Sergeant Samuel Rainey, MM MSM
Samuel Rainey, from Lisburn, County Antrim, enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 26 October 1914 (No.1337 – later Corps of Hussars No.71343).
He embarked for France with a reinforcement draft on 22 September 1915, joining D Squadron at Behencourt in early October.
Rainey remained with the squadron throughout the war, rising to the rank of sergeant.
In May 1916 the squadron joined with A and E Squadrons to form the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment, and in March 1918 the regiment was dismounted and converted to a corps cyclist regiment.
Rainey saw action in the Advance to Victory offensive from August to November 1918. He was mentioned in D Squadron's war diary of 5 October 1918:
Moved forward to Gouzecourt under orders of 64 Infantry Brigade 21st Division ... and sent out patrols under 2nd Lieutenant Blanden to Bonne Enfance Farm and 2nd Lieutenant Austin to Montecouvez Farm. Sergeant Rainey to Gratte Panche Farm. The first and third reported clear but Montecouvez strongly held by enemy.
For his actions during this period Rainey was awarded both the Meritorious Service Medal and Military Medal.
He was transferred to Class Z Army Reserve, on 3 March 1919.