Name
Harry Leslie Cain
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
03/09/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
R/16333
Kings Royal Rifle Corps
10th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 13A and 13B
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Markyate Village Memorial, St John The Baptist Church Memorial, Markyate
Pre War
Henry (Harry) Leslie Cain was born in Markyate in 1895 to Henry (Harry) Cain ,cattle dealer, and Eliza (nee Wardman).
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, Arthur C (born 1892), Olive M (born 1893), Henry , Aubrey S (born 1896), C Ellie (born 1898) and Thomas F (born 1900) were living at London Road, Markyate.
On the 1911 Census the family of parents, father was a farm bailiff, mother was a straw hat machinist, Arthur (straw plait dyer), Henry L (cowman), Aubrey (ploughboy), Ellie, Thomas, Cecil, (born 1901), Percy (born 1906), Reginald (born 1908) were living at 128.High Street, Markyate.
Wartime Service
Harry enlisted on 6 Nov 1915 in London as Private R/16333 in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps and designated Rifleman on 13 Nov 1915. He was posted to 10 (Service) Battalion on 17 Mar 1916 joining the Battalion who were part of 58 Brigade 20 (Light) Division. They took part in the Battles of the Somme participating the Battles of Delville Wood (18 Jul-3 Sep 1916) and Guillemont 3-6 Sep 1916). It was probably in the last action that Harry was reported killed in action,. His remains were not recovered and He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
An extract from the Battalion War Diary ‘To Citadel Camp (21/8), brigade reserve just south of Carnoy (22/8). Moved forward to trenches near Guillemont (2/9). Attack on Guillemont noon (3/9). C Company storming enemy front line prior to commencement of British barrage - enemy taken completely by surprise and with little resistance. Heavy casualties from our own barrage - new line consolidated 100 yards forward of objective by 12.34 pm. Gains held until relived during morning (5/9) and to Minden Post. Casualties 273.'
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £3 and arrears of £3 7s 7d was paid to his father. His brother Aubrey Spence Cain served with the Bedfordshire Regiment and also the Suffolk Regiment and was killed in action on 10 Apr 1917
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Anne & Gordon Mead
