Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Main, an iron stone labourer, born 1853 in nether Broughton, Leicestershire and his wife Fanny (Frances) Main (nee Frier, married in the 3rd quarter of 1876 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1855 in Grimston, Leicestershire. Joseph was born on the 6th April 1890 in Nether Broughton and was baptised on the 26th June 1892 in Nether Broughton parish church, he had one sibling, John Frederick, a domestic servant, born 1878 in Nether Broughton, in April 1891 the family home was at Turnpike, Nether Broughton. In March 1901 Joseph was residing in the family home at The Turnpike, Nether Broughton, together with his father, an iron stone quarry worker, and his mother. In April 1911 Joseph was employed as an iron stone quarry shunter driver and was residing in the family home at Nether Broughton, together with his father, an iron stone quarry deputy ganger and his mother. Joseph was officially recorded at birth with the surname spelling of Maine, but also used the spelling, Maines, Mayne and Main. On the 21st June 1913 Joseph married Emily Hart in Nether Broughton parish church, Emily was born on the 2nd April 1890 in Hickling, Nottinghamshire, they had a son, Joseph L., born the 4th quarter of 1914 in Melton Mowbray. In the 1st quarter of 1921 Joseph’s widow married Herbert A. Wright in the Melton Mowbray district, they resided at New Inn Cottage, Kinoulton, Nottinghamshire.
Joseph was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 7 Nov-18 – LE CATEU. In the Line. Battalion found Advance Guard for the Brigade. B. Echelon moved to TASNIERES. All in billets 14.30hrs. Fair.
21st (S) Battalion The Manchester Regiment.
NARRATIVE OF OPERATIONS FROM 3rd – 8th NOVEMBER, 1918.
Reference Map. FRANCE Sheet 57 a. 1/40.000.
3/11/18.
09.00hrs. “A” and “C” Companies came under orders of 75th Infantry Brigade.
15.00hrs. Battalion (less above) plus 1 section 7th TRENCH MORTAR BATTERY and “A” Echelon Regimental Transport left LE CATEAU for bivouacs in vicinity of POMMEREUIL, move completed at 18.30hrs. Battalion Headquarters at L.27.c.70.80.
4/11/18.
05.45hrs. Zero for IX Corps.
06.15hrs. Zero for XIII Corps.
12.00hrs. Objectives of 2 Companies reported gained at 7.45hrs with about 100 prisoners.
14.15hrs. Battalion moved to vicinity of MALGARNI where “A” and “C” Companies were picked up. Battalion took up defensive position in reserve on South West side of LANDRECIES – ROBERSANT Road.
22.40hrs. Battalion disposed as follows:-
Battalion Headquarters and Regimental Aid Post – L.21.b.50.80.
“A” Echelon – L.21.a.60.80.
“D” Company (Left) and “B” Company (Right) along Railway Line from L.16.d.6.4 to L.22.a.0.2.
“A” Company Support – vicinity of L.21.b.80.40.
“C” Company Reserve – vicinity of L.21.b.50.50.
5/11/18.
10.30hrs. Battalion left assembly area. “A” Echelon accompanied Battalion – Route LANDRECIES – PRESEAU.
12.00hrs. Reached CATTILON FARM thence to MAROILLES.
14.20hrs. On arrival at MAROILLES Brigade Major ordered Battalion to go up to BASSE NOYELLE and to rejoin column of 7th Brigade at TAISNIERES.
16.20hrs. Battalion reached BASSE NOYELLE. Several Machine Gun posts and snipers in vicinity of village.
6/11/18.
00.05hrs. Touch established with WILTSHIRE REGIMENT on left – at I.1.a.3.8.
Companies in Line right to left:-
“A” Company – H.11.d.8.6 – H.12.a.8.8.
“D” Company – H.12.a.8.8 – H.6.d.9.7.
“B” Company – H.6.d.9.7 – I.1.a.6.7.
In Reserve – “C” Company about RUE DES HAIES.
Battalion Headquarters at H.6.c.8.6.
Touch established with 9th YORKSHIRE REGIMENT at H.1.d.6.8.
1035hrs. Battalion advanced as part of main body of 7th Infantry Brigade.
17.15hrs. Final dispositions:-
Battalion Headquarters and Regimental Aid Post opposite Church TAISNIERES.
“C” Company – LES CATTIAUX.
“D,” “B” and “A” Companies – Billeted along main road of TAISNIERES.
“A” Echelon – at about I.2.d.50.45.
7/11/18.
Battalion ordered to act as Advanced Guard to 7th Infantry Brigade.
Boundaries:-
Northern boundary line due East from C.30.d.5.4.
Southern boundary line due East from I.10 central.
Objective East 26 central to K.7 central.
7th Brigade reported Outpost Line held by 20th MANCHESTER REGIMENT as follows:-
J.7 central – J.1.d.4.3 thence along Railway to Northern boundary.
08.00hrs. Battalion disposed as follows:-
“B” Company drawn up on Line J.7 central to J.1.d.1.4.
“D” Company drawn up on Line I.6.d.5.7 to C.30.d.5.4.
“A” Company in vicinity of I.6.a.5.2.
“C” Company and Battalion Headquarters along road with head of column at J.7.a.8.9.
Advanced report Centre – J.1.d.1.4.
There was a very thick mist which rendered the advance very difficult and cavalry patrols of 12th LANCERS reported the following areas free of the enemy.
J.2.b central – J.8.b central.
J.4 central – wood J.9.b and J.10.a nevertheless it was decided that on account of the fog the advance should be carried out as arranged.
09.45hrs. Following line had been made good. No enemy encountered. Road J.3.b.1.9 – J.3.c.5.6 – J.9.a.0.0.
10.30hrs. Major General Commanding Division came to J.1.d.1.4 and ordered advance to be carried out along AVESNES Road from J.2.a.3.6 onwards.
10.40hrs. Battalion therefore concentrated about J.3.c.5.6 and advanced along road protected by scouts and 1 platoon “C” Company. Order of Advance “C,” “A,” “D,” “B” and Headquarters Companies. “A” Echelon 1st Line Transport.
12.30hrs. Patrols pushed out to CRAISETTE FARM to occupy farm.
12.50hrs. Slight enemy resistance encountered at about J.10.d.7.5. Head of column J.10.d.2.4 Battalion Headquarters on road J.9.b.8.1.
13.00hrs. 2 platoons extended to overcome resistance – advanced as far as line J.10.b.8.2 – J.11.c.0.4. Further resistance was encountered estimated Machine Guns were firing on our men. No touch on either flank at 13.00hrs.
13.30hrs. “B” Company ordered to withdraw from column and proceed via J.4.c.1.4 to establish posts at LACRAISETTE FARM – J.4.b.2.7 – J.5.a.0.8 – J.5.b.2.8 and to establish touch with 50th Division on left also to send one platoon to try and work round in rear of enemy Machine Guns which were holding up an advance and were situated on high ground in J.11 central.
14.32hrs. Vickers Guns fired 5.000 rounds on to high ground in J.11 central from positions about J.4.c.7.7. “C” Company attempted to advance again but were still held up. The mist became very thick and it was impossible to locate the positions of the Machine Guns which were holding up the advance.
15.45hrs. All above posts established and one platoon advancing South from J.5.b.1.9 towards Point 205. “C” Company still held up on line J.10.b.8.2 – J.11.c.0.4.
14.00hrs. Touch with 7th Brigade on right established at -?-. They were also held up by Machine Guns on -?- in J.11 central and J.11.d.
16.30hrs. Situation no change. Orders received that no advance should be carried out after this hour.
18.00hrs. Following line had been taken up as Defensive Line for night 7/8th November:-
“D” Company – J.10.a.8.0 CRAISETTE FARM inclusive.
“B” Company – J.5.c.2.1 with posts at J.5.c.3.6 – J.5 central – J.5.b.5.1, J.5.b.1.9, J.5.a.1.9, J.4.b.2.7.
“A” Company – vicinity of J.5.d central.
“C” Company – J.3.c central.
Battalion Headquarters – House at J.3.c.9.4.
No touch with 50th Division on left.
Battalion was relieved by the 6th INNISKILLING FUSILIERS.
8/11/18.
00.18hrs. Relief complete, Battalion proceeded to billets in DOMPIERRE.
02.00hrs. All billeted.
Strength going into line 3/11/18. Officers 15. Other ranks 544.
Signed. Lieutenant Colonel
Commanding 21st Battalion The Manchester Regiment.
Casualties.
Officers. Killed 1. Wounded 2.
Other ranks. Killed 11. Wounded 64. Missing 4. Sick 6.
Prisoners (estimated). 150.
On Friday November 22nd 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “NETHER BROUGHTON.” – LOCAL SOLDIER KILLED. – The sad news has reached Mrs. J. Main, jnr., of this village that her husband, Pte. J. Main, was killed in action in France on November 7th by a machine gun bullet in the head, Pte. Main was only 28 years of age, and joined the forces last May. He was transferred to France with the Manchester Regiment in October. The dreadful, news was sent by one of his comrades in which he says. “I regret to inform you that your husband was hit in the head by a machine gun bullet on November 7th, and only lived five minutes. I was with him. He was a good soldier.” Every sympathy is felt for his young wife and only child, also for his father, mother, and brother Jack. Previous to joining the Army Pte. Main was employed by the Holwell Ironstone Co. Being of a quiet and inoffensive nature he was much liked and respected by all who knew him.
On Friday December 6th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “NETHER BROUGHTON.” – SAD NEWS. – Official news has been received by Mrs. Main, junr., confirming the letter previously sent her that her husband, Pte. Joseph Main, was killed in action in France, on Nov. 7th.
On Friday December 13th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “NETHER BROUGHTON.” – MEMORIAL SERVICE. – A memorial service took place in St. Mary’s Church on Sunday evening, in memory of the late Pte. J. Main. The Rev. W. J. McCombe preached a most touching sermon taking for his text, “I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.” In comforting words he spoke to the bereaved ones present, and went on to say Pte. Main was highly respected and one who was devoted to those at home, and would be much missed. Mr. W. Edlin, Long Clawson, was the organist, and played the “Dead March” in “Saul” at the conclusion of the service.