Lance Corporal
Service # 124141
“George Main died of wounds received “somewhere in France” on the 16th of Jan 1917. He had worked as furniture finisher for Dymond-Colonial Furniture Company and attested in the 70th Btn in London on the 18 Oct 1915. He had previously been wounded by a gun shot to his right eye. He was laid to rest in Louez Military Cemetery Duisans France. His memory is fixed on a tablet in St John the Evangelist church.”
[Source: Strathroy Museum]
Lance Corporal George Main, at the time of his death, was enlisted in the 5th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles (led by Lieutenant-Colonel Denis Draper of Sutton Junction, Quebec); which was part of the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade (led by Brigadier-General J.H. Elmsley); which was part of the 3rd Canadian division (under the command of Major-General L.J. Lipsett).
Based on the date of L.Cpl. George Main’s gun shot wound to the eye, and the location of his division on October 4th, 1916, it seems probable that he was involved in the Battle of Thiepval Ridge from October 1st onward. The following outlines events of his battalion at that time:
“1 October
At 7:50 a.m. the 2nd Canadian Division reported to the corps headquarters and corps artillery, that study of aerial photographs showed Regina and Kenora trenches had been insufficiently bombarded but was assured that the bombardment would be completed during the morning. At 12:30 a.m. Brigadier-General Elmsley, the 8th Canadian Brigade commander reported that the wire in front of Regina Trench was uncut, which led to the artillery continuing the wire-cutting bombardment to the last minute. At 3:15 p.m. the Canadian Corps attacked Regina Trench on the higher ground west of Courcelette Trench to consolidate up to Dyke Road and establish a defensive flank on a track to Destremont Farm. The British artillery bombardment increased in intensity to “drumfire”, while the German artillery stayed silent because of a shortage of ammunition, being limited to firing only when the infantry attack began.
British aircraft flew overhead at 100 feet (30 m) observing for the artillery, strafing the ground when they saw movement and throwing hand-grenades. The British artillery lifted towards Baum Mulde and Miraumont and the 8th Division troops saw waves of Canadian infantry advancing, while the division was being relieved by the Marine Brigade. The Germans fired rockets to alert the German artillery, which opened fire immediately. Two 2nd Canadian Division battalions advanced east of the East Miraumont road against spasmodic machine-gun fire and dug in, having moved forward 400 yards (370 m) and eliminated bulges at the flanks of the brigade area. An attack by the 23rd Division of III Corps to the right, had also succeeded and gained touch with the Canadians.
The 5th Canadian Brigade attacked 1,000 yards (910 m) of the trench west of the East Miraumont road but a German barrage caught the support waves of the right-hand battalion and machine-gun fire swept the leading wave. A few survivors managed to get through the wire and were overwhelmed. The central battalion reached Kenora Trench and dug in under small-arms fire, partly from a flank and the left-hand battalion reached its objective in Regina Trench. The 3rd Canadian Division battalion to the left, was driven back by a German counter-attack and a large party of Germans began to bomb along the trench. By nightfall the 5th Canadian Brigade held most of Kenora Trench and outposts in the West Miraumont road and Courcelette Trench. The 3rd Canadian Division attacked with two 8th Canadian Brigade battalions on the right but a German barrage fell on the front line, a few minutes before zero hour. Both battalions managed to cross no man’s land despite machine-gun fire, forced their way into Regina Trench through uncut wire and commenced a bombing fight with I Battalion, Marine Regiment 2 and I Battalion, Marine Regiment 1, which had relieved the 8th Division at the end of September.
A counter-attack by I and II battalions of Marine Regiment 2 overcame the Canadians in mutually-costly fighting at 2:00 a.m. on 2 October, when the last Canadian foothold west of the Courcelette–Grandcourt road was abandoned. Preparations began for another attack but bad weather forced a delay. A bombardment was maintained on Regina Trench, despite high winds and poor visibility and the 3rd Canadian Division was relieved by the 2nd Canadian Division by 4 October, which then moved the left flank eastwards, as the 25th Division of II Corps extended its flank. On 6 October, the 1st Canadian Division took over on the right flank of the Canadian Corps which lay east of the Pys road. The Canadians connected their advanced posts along a line about 300 yards (270 m) from Regina Trench and sent scouting parties forward each day, who reported that the wire in front of the trench was being cut but that the Germans were putting out “concertina” wire to fill the gaps.”
[Source: Wikipedia]
The Canadians’ three divisions suffered over 20,000 casualties in September and October of 1916 in the Somme, for little gain. This was a “war of attrition”.
The following are the pages from the War Diaries of the 5th Battalion (Canadian Mounted Rifles) for January, 1916. Note that the entry for January 16th, (5th page) the date George Main was killed, makes no reference to any conflict. It only states, “Weather mild and dry. Divine services at all billets.” In other words, it was a Sunday, church services were held, and the fact that George Main died was not note worthy. Such is war.
The following are some documents about L.Cpl. George Main, and the location of his burial in France.
