Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Second Lieutenant E. W. Cain, Wiltshire Regiment, killed in action on the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) 31 July 1917

British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.); Memorial Plaque (Ernest William Cain) extremely fine (3) £350-400

Ernest William Cain was born on 5 January 1898 and was educated at the Grammar School, Mutley, passing into Sandhurst in November 1915. After completing his course he was gazetted into the 3rd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, joining his unit in July 1916. Later, serving as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, he was killed in action by a sniper whilst leading his platoon on the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchiondaele), 31 July 1917, aged 19 years. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. He was the son of Mrs G. C. Cain of “Hazledene”, Hazelwood Terrace, Plymouth and the late Mr J. Cain.

With the recipient’s original commission document, dated 18 July 1916; together with copied research.