Private Robert Kaine

(Also known as Bob)

Service Number: 11397

3rd King's Own Hussars (att. 1st Bn. East Surrey Regiment)

Killed in Action 23rd July 1916, aged 21

Son of Robert & Mary Alice Kaine, 9 Cardinal Street, Burnley

From the Burnley Express dated 16th August 1916:  KILLED BY SNIPER.  Soldier's Fatal Attempt to Succour Wounded

The sad news has been received by Mr. & Mrs. Kaine, of 9 Cardinal Street, Burnley, that one of their sons has been killed whilst bravely trying to succour the wounded.  Their son Robert, who was aged 21, enlisted four years ago in the 3rd Hussars, and subsequently was attached to the East Surrey Regiment.  He had been out at the front over a year.

The news of his death was first received from Pte. Carroll who wrote: - "Having found your address in Bob's correspondence, I take it as my duty to write and tell you how poor Bob died in action.  We were in the big advance.  He was alright up to the morning of July 24, and we were holding a captured position with a lot of dead and wounded in front of our trench.  Well, the officer and another of his chums Pte. O'Mahoney jumped over the top to fetch some of the wounded in.  Bob, seeing them going over, and being a loyal soldier, threw off his equipment and was going to follow.  There was very hot machine gun fire and rifle fire.  As he went to get over a sniper got him right in the head.  Death was instantaneous and he went through no suffering.  I am glad to say we killed the sniper who hit Bob.  We were all shocked to know Bob was dead as he was such a favourite with all the chaps in the company".  Since the receipt of this letter the parents have received official news.

Before enlisting, Pte. Kaine was a weaver at Messrs. Nuttall & Crook's Mill.  His brother, Driver Wm. Kaine has been in the A.S.C. since the outbreak of the war, being a reservist, and his brother John has been in the Navy for eighteen months.

Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France: Pier & Face 6 B & 6 C