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Leicester Solvin Bain

Identity

  • Title
  • Forenames
    Leicester Solvin AWMM
  • Surname
    Bain AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    10698 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    16 June 1915 AWMM Christchurch, New Zealand AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    Unknown AWMM 9 Durham Street, Christchurch, New Zealand AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    Mrs M.M. Bain (wife), 9 Durham Street, Christchurch, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Unknown AWMM Married AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
  • Campaign
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    10698 AWMM
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Military Medal (MM) AWMM
      17 June 1943 AWMM
      'Late in the afternoon of 26 March 1943 during the attack at EL HAMMA GAP, Tunisia, Sergeant Bain was platoon sergeant of the extreme right platoon of his Battalion, where the fighting was fiercest. Here the enemy held ground which threatened the whole Company’s gains. At a time when the tenure of that section of the objective was in the balance, Sergeant Bain organised a part of his platoon into an attack from the flank which he led with great skill and daring. In spite of serious casualties and intense machine-gun fire from well-placed enemy tanks, he pushed on with such determination that this action and the resultant prisoners contributed greatly to the crumbling of enemy resistance in that sector. Later when his Platoon Officer was wounded he took command and in spite of heavy casualties maintained a high standard of offensive determination in his men and displayed qualities of cool leadership in the difficult night and day operations which followed. Throughout the action Sergeant Bain’s courage and initiative were an inspiration to all.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Bain, Leichester Solvin. (Ref. WO 373/25/205). Military Medal. AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes
    Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWII AWMM
    Wonded 21 May 1941 AWMM

Last known rank

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  • Last rank

Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • Staff Sergeant L. S. Bain, MM; Christchurch; born Christchurch, 16 Jun 1915; shoe operator; wounded 21 May 1941. (Source: Ross, A. 23 Battalion. p.176.)

    'Later in the morning, Brigadier J. T. Burrows, commanding 4 Brigade, sent word to Norris to contact the Indians to the east. Lieutenant Cameron was sent on this errand but found enemy still holding out between the New Zealanders and the Indians. Cameron was badly wounded but his runner returned with the news. Lieutenant Ian Wilson was then told by Norris to organise a fighting patrol to rescue Cameron and clean up the enemy post. With volunteers from 8 and 9 Platoons and some from B Company, Wilson went out accompanied by a 21 Battalion officer who had observed the route followed by Cameron. They started off in a truck, but were soon fired upon and debussed. Wilson then led a bayonet charge in which ‘Dagwood’ Bain, Varley, White and ‘Darky’ Munro were prominent. They killed a number of Italians and forced their way through to an Italian RAP, where they rescued Cameron and other wounded New Zealanders. Some twenty-five to thirty prisoners were taken. Wilson and Signalman Wootton, who had brought a signals vehicle to the north of the ridge, took the wounded on Wootton's truco, first to the 23rd area and thence to a 4 Brigade RAP. As the patrol started back with its prisoners, some German posts farther west opened rapid fire and wounded some of the prisoners as well as members of the patrol.' (Source: Ross, A. 23 Battalion. p. 176.) AWMM
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Death

About death

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  • Death
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

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Sources

Sources

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  • External links
    • 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.' (London Gazette, 17 June 1943, p.2762.). Military Medal.
      http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36057/supplements/2762
      Further Reference
    • 'Late in the afternoon of 26 March 1943 during the attack at EL HAMMA GAP, Tunisia, Sergeant Bain was platoon sergeant of the extreme right platoon of his Battalion, where the fighting was fiercest. Here the enemy held ground which threatened the whole Company’s gains. At a time when the tenure of that section of the objective was in the balance, Sergeant Bain organised a part of his platoon into an attack from the flank which he led with great skill and daring. In spite of serious casualties and intense machine-gun fire from well-placed enemy tanks, he pushed on with such determination that this action and the resultant prisoners contributed greatly to the crumbling of enemy resistance in that sector. Later when his Platoon Officer was wounded he took command and in spite of heavy casualties maintained a high standard of offensive determination in his men and displayed qualities of cool leadership in the difficult night and day operations which followed. Throughout the action Sergeant Bain’s courage and initiative were an inspiration to all.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Bain, Leichester Solvin. (Ref. WO 373/25/205). Military Medal.
      http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7361424
      Further Reference
  • References
    • Sutherland, J. (1989). Gallantry awards to New Zealanders in World War Two. Christchurch, N.Z.: Regal Medals. AWMM
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 2 (Embarkations to 30th June, 1940). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      WW2 2: WW2 12 AWMM
    • Ross, A. (1959). 23 Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM
      pp.156, 176, 243. AWMM

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