11150 Private
1st Battalion Royal Scots, 81st Infantry Brigade, 27th Division
Age: 21
Date of Death: 26.2.15
Buried: Menin Gate Memorial Panel 11
Family: Son of John Main, 14 Melrose Place, Falkirk. Prior to enlisting he was employed as a moulder with the Callendar Iron Works. He went to France on 19 December 1914.
The action leading to his death
On the 24 February 1915, the battalion relieved the 2nd Battalion Cameron Highlanders in the line at St Eloi. This area was a mining hot spot with each side blowing mines and countermines. The front line ran through the houses of the village. By the end of 1915, 33 mines and 31 camouflets had been blown by both sides around The Mound, the high ground that stood to the north of the village, and was formed by the spoil from the old brickworks, was ten metres high and 100 metres across.
Read more about the mine warfare at St Eloi here https://www.theypressalient.com/post/st-eloi-mine
The War Diary records that the battalion worked on trench improvement and improving the defences of the Mound working alongside the Royal Engineers. They were relieved by the 2nd Cameron Highlanders on 26 February and the War Diary records that they had ‘11 men killed, 18 wounded in the two day’s they were in the line.’ William’s grave was subsequently lost and he is listed as missing on the Menin Gate Memorial.
Medals Awarded:
1915 Star, The British War Medal, Victory Medal.
