Robert Henry Cain
Robert Henry Cain VC | |
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Second World War
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Awards | Royal Dutch Shell |
Major Robert Henry Cain VC TD (2 January 1909 – 2 May 1974) was a Manx recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Cain grew up on the Isle of Man and joined the
Later in the war he took part in
Early life
Robert Henry Cain was born in
Second World War
In April 1940, shortly after the start of the
Battle of Arnhem
The
Advance into Arnhem
The Allies planned to fly the British and Polish to Arnhem in three separate lifts over three days.
In Arnhem the Allied plan quickly unravelled. Only a small group of the
As the surviving men fell back through the 11th Battalion's positions, Major Gilchrist (A Company, 11th Battalion) met Cain, who told him that "The tanks are coming, give me a PIAT".[19] Gilchrist was unable to oblige and so the Staffords regrouped behind the 11th Battalion's positions; roughly 100 surviving men forming into five small platoons under Cain's command.[20] Lieutenant Colonel George Lea, commander of the 11th Battalion, ordered them to capture a piece of wooded high ground known as Den Brink to cover a fresh advance, and a bayonet charge quickly cleared the enemy there.[20] However, the thick tree roots on the hill made it impossible to dig in, and after suffering severe casualties, Cain took the decision to withdraw back to Oosterbeek.[2]
Oosterbeek perimeter
The remnants of the four battalions fell back in disarray to the main divisional positions at Oosterbeek. Here they were gathered into defensive units by Lieutenant Colonel
Lonsdale Force's sector covered the southern end of the eastern perimeter, and Cain was one of three Majors defending this sector of the line.
Witnesses believed that Cain was incapacitated, but within half an hour his sight returned.
By 25 September, the area occupied by the Lonsdale Force saw heavy fighting against self-propelled guns, flamethrower tanks, and infantry. There were no PIATs available to the force by now; instead Cain armed himself with a two-inch
That night the Division began to withdraw in
Victoria Cross
Fifty-nine decorations were published for the small group of men who successfully escaped Arnhem and these were awarded in an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 6 December 1944.
War Office, 2nd November, 1944.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve awards of the VICTORIA CROSS to: —
Captain (temporary Major) Robert Henry Cain (129484), The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, (attd. The South Staffordshire Regiment) (I Airborne Division) (Salcombe, Devon).
In Holland on 19th September, 1944, Major Cain was commanding a rifle company of the South Staffordshire Regiment during the Battle of Arnhem when his company was cut off from the rest of the battalion and during the next six days was closely engaged with enemy tanks, self-propelled guns and infantry. The Germans made repeated attempts to break into the company position by infiltration and had they succeeded in doing so the whole situation of the Airborne Troops would have been jeopardised.
Major Cain, by his outstanding devotion to duty and remarkable powers of leadership, was to a large extent personally responsible for saving a vital sector from falling into the hands of the enemy.
On 20th September a Tiger tank approached the area held by his company and Major Cain went out alone to deal with it armed with a Piat. Taking up a position he held his fire until the tank was only 20 yards away when he opened up. The tank immediately halted and turned its guns on him, shooting away a corner of the house near where this officer was lying. Although wounded by machine gun bullets and falling masonry, Major Cain continued firing until he had scored several direct hits, immobilised the tank and supervised the bringing up of a 75 mm. howitzer which completely destroyed it. Only then would he consent to have his wounds dressed.
In the next morning this officer drove off three more tanks by the fearless use of his Piat, on each occasion leaving cover and taking up position in open ground with complete disregard for his personal safety.
During the following days, Major Cain was everywhere where danger threatened, moving amongst his men and encouraging them by his fearless example to hold out. He refused rest and medical attention in spite of the fact that his hearing had been seriously impaired because of a perforated eardrum and he was suffering from multiple wounds.
On 25 September the enemy made a concerted attack on Major Cain's position, using self-propelled guns, flame throwers and infantry. By this time the last Piat had been put out of action and Major Cain was armed with only a light 2" mortar. However, by a skilful use of this weapon and his daring leadership of the few men still under his command, he completely demoralized the enemy who, after an engagement lasting more than three hours, withdrew in disorder.
Throughout the whole course of the Battle of Arnhem, Major Cain showed superb gallantry. His powers of endurance and leadership were the admiration of all his fellow officers and stories of his valour were being constantly exchanged amongst the troops. His coolness and courage under incessant fire could not be surpassed.[32]
There are some errors in Cain's citation. The action described as occurring on the 20th actually took place on the 21st
End of the war
The hostilities in Europe ended on 8 May 1945, when the Allies accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. There were however a large number of German units in Norway – one of the few places in Europe still under German control – and the Allies feared the German commander there might attempt to fight on.[40] In Operation Doomsday, Cain travelled to Oslo, Norway, with the 1st Airlanding Brigade on 11 May 1945. Working with Milorg (the Norwegian resistance), the British took the surrender of German troops in Norway without incident, before returning to the UK on 25 August 1945.[41] Having remained in the service of the South Staffordshire Regiment, Cain officially relinquished his wartime commission on 28 December 1945 and was granted the honorary rank of major.[42]
Later life
Upon leaving the army Cain went back to his pre-war occupation with Shell, living in
Family
Cain had four children; his daughter Frances was married to Jeremy Clarkson between 1993 and 2014.
Death
Cain died of cancer on 2 May 1974 in Crowborough, Sussex. His body was cremated at Worth Crematorium and his ashes interred in the family grave at Braddan Cemetery on the Isle of Man.[1]
Memorials
There are several memorials in Cain's honour. King William's College has a memorial scholarship in his name and the chapel in the Hospice at Douglas is dedicated in his name.
Medals and decorations
Victoria Cross (VC) | |
1939-1945 Star
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Italy Star | |
France and Germany Star | |
Defence Medal | |
War Medal 1939-1945
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Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal[46] | |
Efficiency Decoration (TD) |
See also
Four other men were awarded the Victoria Cross after the battle, all of them posthumous:
- John Daniel Baskeyfield, 2nd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment.
- John Hollington Grayburn, 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment.
- David Samuel Anthony Lord 271 Squadron, Royal Air Force.
- Lionel Ernest Queripel, 10th Battalion Parachute Regiment.
- List of Second World War Victoria Cross recipients
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Unit Histories: 1st British Airborne Division Arnhem, September 1944". Retrieved 26 July 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Major Robert Henry Cain". Pegasus Archive. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ^ "No. 33695". The London Gazette. 3 March 1931. p. 1452.
- ^ "No. 34837". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 April 1940. p. 2457.
- ^ Middlebrook, p67
- ^ Kershaw, p303
- ^ Waddy, p38
- ^ Middlebrook, p31
- ^ Middlebrook, p80
- ^ Waddy, p65
- ^ Waddy, p79
- ^ Middlebrook, p188
- ^ Middlebrook, p191
- ^ Middlebrook, p200
- ^ Waddy, p89
- ^ a b Middlebrook, p202
- ^ a b Middlebrook, p205
- ^ Middlebrook, p203
- ^ Middlebrook, p207
- ^ a b Waddy, p91
- ^ a b Middlebrook, p326
- ^ Waddy, p134
- ^ a b Middlebrook, p336
- ^ Middlebrook, p324
- ^ Ryan, p472
- ^ a b c d e f Ryan, p473
- ^ Waddy, p138
- ^ a b c Margry, p616
- ^ a b Middlbrook, p343
- ^ Middlebrook, p344
- ^ Ryan, p503
- ^ a b "No. 36774". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 October 1944. p. 5015.
- ^ Ryan, p519
- ^ a b Ryan, p530
- ^ Middlebrook, p445
- ^ "Second report of the Tynwald Honours Committee 2004/2005" (PDF). June 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
- ^ Middlebrook, p446
- ^ "The MoD: The Staffordshire Regiment" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
- ^ "The Arnhem Roll of Honour – Ian O. Meikle". Retrieved 31 July 2009.
- ^ Wright, p426
- ^ Middlebrook, p447
- ^ "No. 37525". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 April 1946. p. 1789.
- ^ "Victoria Cross Research: Robert Henry Cain". Retrieved 3 November 2009.
- ^ a b Ramsey, p28
- ^ "Maughold Parish Commissioners: Leisure and Children's Play Areas". Archived from the original on 24 January 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
- ^ a b "The Staffordshire Regiment Museum". Archived from the original on 7 June 2009. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
- ^ "Island honours VC hero Major Cain". Isle of Man Today. 26 October 2006. Archived from the original on 3 August 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ^ a b "Newstatesman: Top Medal". 10 November 2003. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
Bibliography
- Kershaw, Robert (1990). It Never Snows in September. Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 0-7110-2167-8.
- Margry, Karel (2002). Operation Market Garden Then and Now: Volume 2. ISBN 1-870067-45-2.
- ISBN 0-670-83546-3.
- Ramsey, Winston, ed. (1986). "Arnhem VC's". After the Battle - Arnhem (Special Issue): 27–30.
- ISBN 1-84022-213-1.
- ISBN 0-85052-571-3.
- Wright, Michael, ed. (1989). The World at Arms. Reader's Digest.
External links