Raymond Henry STAINES

STAINES, Raymond Henry

Service Number: 132
Enlisted: 1 October 1899, Brisbane, Queensland
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry
Born: Delhi, India, 1874
Home Town: Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Motorman
Memorials: Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial
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Boer War Service

1 Oct 1899: Involvement Private, 132, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry
1 Oct 1899: Enlisted Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 132, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, Brisbane, Queensland
2 Oct 1899: Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 132, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry
1 Nov 1899: Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 132, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, "B" Company, s.s. Cornwall, Pinkenba (Brisbane)
31 Mar 1900: Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 132, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, Battle of Sanna's Post
1 Apr 1900: Imprisoned Battle of Sanna's Post , Released 6th June 1900 when the 1st & 2nd Queensland Contingent marched into Pretoria.
6 Nov 1900: Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 132, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, Discharged in South Africa and later joined the Pretoria Police.

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Biography contributed by Paul Trevor

Private Raymond Staines was released from being a Prisoner of War on 6th July 1900 when the Mounted Infantry annexed Pretoria from the Boers. He was granted his discharge in South Africa from the 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry on the 6th November 1900. 

Information found on-line at the National Archieves of Australia shows that Private Staines was reported missing, but subsequently joined the Provisional Transvaal Constabulary (Pretoria Police) and remained in South Africa.

There is no further information that could be found that shows Private Staines returned to Australia post-Boer War.

'QUEENSLAND'S LOSSES

FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE MEN

Private Raymond Henry Staines (missing) was born in East Africa, of English and Irish parentage, was about 24½ years old, and belonged to Brisbane. Private Staines was employed as a motor man by the Brisbane Tramways Company prior to his departure for the war. He joined the company in July last year, and remained with them up to the time he enlisted with the First Queensland Contingent.

Though his birthplace is given in the books of Dr. Thomson as East Africa, he is registered in the Tramways Company's books as a native of India, and this, coupled with his ability at cricket, caused him to be dubbed "Ranji" by his comrades. Mr. Stevens, the company's superintendent, is under the impression that Staines's relatives are in India, but the man himself appeared to have some knowledge of South Africa and the Boers.

He was a member of the Tramways Recreation Club -a clean-built, tall young fellow, possessed of all-round athletic ability, and just the sort to make a likely soldier. Mr. Stevens describes Staines as being full of vitality, a capable man at his work, and popular with his fellows.' from The Brisbane Courier 10 Apr 1900 (nla.gov.au)

'ONE OF THE MISSING QUEENSLANDERS.

The following particulars have been furnished to us ("Observer") concerning Private R. G. Staines, who is reported as one of the missing among the Queenslanders who were engaged in the recent affair wlth the Boers at Koorn Spruit. Staines, whose family reside in India, came over to Queensland from South Afrlca in the steamer Ningehow, whlch it will be remembered made a trip to Delagoa Bay with some cattle from Queensland. This is about 12 months since.

He had been working on the railways in South Africa, and his knowledge of the country induced him to enlist in the first contingent. He had been employed at Messrs. Perkins and Co.'s brewery while in Brisbane, being a brewer by profession. His age is about 26 years, and he is a powerful young man of 6ft. in height.' from Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser 12 Apr 1900 (nla.gov.au)

'Queensland Soldiers.

MARCHED. INTO PRETORIA.

There were five Queenslanders who had been taken prisoners at Sannaspost. These were released at Pretoria. They were Sergeant Breydon, Privates Johnson, Weike, Spurway, and Staines. A private letter says concerning them : "Their ration of 1lb. of meat and a limited amount of mealie meal per week has reduced them considerably.' from Gympie Times and Mary River Mining Gazette 4 Aug 1900 (nla.gov.au)

 

 

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