VC Citation:

War Ofce, 2nd November, 1944.

“The KING has been graciously pleased to approve awards of the

VICTORIA CROSS to: —

Captain (temporary Major) Robert Henry Cain (129484), The Royal

Northumberland Fusiliers, (attd. The South Staffordshire Regiment)

(I Airborne Division) (Salcombe, Devon).

In Holland on 19th September, 1944, Major Cain was commanding

a rie company of the South Staffordshire Regiment during the

Battle of Arnhem when his company was cut off from the rest of the

battalion and during the next six days was closely engaged with

enemy tanks, self-propelled guns and infantry. The Germans made

repeated attempts to break into the company position by inltration

and had they succeeded in doing so the whole situation of the

Airborne Troops would have been jeopardised.

Major Cain, by his outstanding devotion to duty and remarkable

powers of leadership, was to a large extent personally responsible

for saving a vital sector from falling into the hands of the enemy.

On 20th September a Tiger tank approached the area held by his

company and Major Cain went out alone to deal with it armed with a

P.I.A.T.. Taking up a position he held his re until the tank was only

20 yards away when he opened up. The tank immediately halted

and turned its guns on him, shooting away a corner of the house

near where this ofcer was lying. Although wounded by machine

gun bullets and falling masonry, Major Cain continued ring until he

had scored several direct hits, immobilised the tank and supervised

the bringing up of a 75mm. howitzer which completely destroyed it.

Only then would he consent to have his wounds dressed.

In the next morning this ofcer drove off three more tanks by the

fearless use of his P.I.A.T., on each occasion leaving cover and

taking up position in open ground with complete disregard for his