| Richard William Leslie Wain | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 December 1896 Penarth, Wales |
| Died | 20 November 1917 (aged 20) Marcoing, France |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Manchester Regiment Tank Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Richard William Leslie Wain VC (5 December 1896 – 20 November 1917) was a Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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Wain was born in Penarth near Cardiff, Wales to Florence E. Wain and Harris Wain.[1] He was educated at The Cathedral School, Llandaff and then at Penarth Grammar School and St. Bees Grammar School.
He was 20 years old, and an Acting Captain in the 'A' Battalion, Tank Corps, British Army during the First World War, and was awarded a Victoria Cross for his actions on 20 November 1917 at Marcoing, near Cambrai, France after his tank took a direct hit killing all but him and one member of his crew. Though mortally wounded he rushed an enemy strong point with a Lewis gun capturing it and taking about half the garrison prisoners. His actions allowed the infantry, which had been pinned back by the machine gun post, to advance. He was killed shortly afterwards while continuing to fire on the retiring enemy.
For most conspicuous bravery in command of a section of Tanks. During an attack the Tank in which he was, was disabled by a direct hit near an enemy strong point which was holding up the attack. Capt. Wain and one man, both seriously wounded, were the only survivors. Though bleeding profusely from his wounds, he refused the attention of stretcher-bearers, rushed from behind the Tank with a Lewis gun, and captured the strong point, taking about half the garrison prisoners. Although his wounds were very serious he picked up a rifle and continued to fire at the retiring enemy until he received a fatal wound in the head. It was due to the valour displayed by Capt. Wain that the infantry were able to advance.—The London Gazette," 13 February 1918[1]