Sgt. Marland was born in Preston, Lancashire.
In April 1939 he joined the RAFVR as an Airman U/T Pilot.
On 1st September he was called up to full-time service, and on completion of his training joined 222 Squadron at Hornchurch on 1st September 1940.
During this 'hardest month' he claimed a Me 109 destroyed on the 7th September, a Ju 88 on the 11th, and an Me 109 on the 14th. On 30th he claimed two Me 109s as probables.
On 25th October he claimed a probable Me 109.
On 17th February 1941 Rainford shared in a probable Ju 88, and another on 8th March. On 19th March he was commissioned.
On 7th April he destroyed a Do 17, and on 9th July claimed a Bf 109 destroyed and two others damaged.
Rainford was with 603 Squadron when, on 27th September, he destroyed a Me 109.

In October he was posted to 229 Squadron in the Middle East.
On 23rd November he claimed a probable Ju88.
On 17th December he was killed in an air accident. He was 25years old.

Rainford Marland is buried in Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery, Egypt.