Robert Henry Cain
Major, The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers attached to The South Staffordshire Regiment /// 1st Airborne Division
- Register No.
- 169 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Major (register: Temp. Major) all Majors →
- Unit
- The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers attached to The South Staffordshire Regiment /// 1st Airborne Division all South Staffordshire Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 17–25 September 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 2nd November 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Born
- 2nd January 1909 at Shanghai, China
- Died
- 2nd May 1974 at Crowborough, Sussex
- Memorial / grave
- Garrison Church, Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffordshire
Digest of citation
During the period it 19th-25th September 1944 at Arnhem, Holland, Major Cain's company was cut off from the Battalion and throughout the whole of this time was closely engaged with enemy tanks, self-propelled guns and infantry. The major was everywhere danger threatened, moving among his men and encouraging them to hold out. By his leadership he not only stopped, but demoralised the enemy attacks and although he was suffering from a perforated eardrum and multiple wounds, he refused medical attention
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
CAIN, Robert Henry. (reg No. 169).
Major The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers attached to The South Staffordshire Regiment /// 1st Airborne Division.
London Gazetted on 2nd November 1944.
Born on 2nd January 1909 at Shanghai, China.
Died on 2nd May 1974 at Crowborough, Sussex.
Memorial in Garrison Church, Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffordshire.
Digest of Citation reads: During the period it 19th-25th September 1944 at Arnhem, Holland, Major Cain's company was cut off from the Battalion and throughout the whole of this time was closely engaged with enemy tanks, self-propelled guns and infantry. The major was everywhere danger threatened, moving among his men and encouraging them to hold out. By his leadership he not only stopped, but demoralised the enemy attacks and although he was suffering from a perforated eardrum and multiple wounds, he refused medical attention.
Additional information:. He was elected a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, (1951) whilst working, in West Africa ,with the Shell Oil Coy.
Additional information
He was elected a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, (1951) whilst working, in West Africa ,with the Shell Oil Coy.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Garrison Church, Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffordshire
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
Research this recipient further
Would you like to honour Robert Henry Cain by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.