Commemorated:

1. Grave:Lillers Communal CemeteryV. A. 7.
2. Book:The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918Pg.136
3. Memorial:The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour33D GQS
    

Awards & Titles:

 

Family :

Son of William and Margaret Strain; husband of Minnie Strain, of 2, Southwood Court, Golders Green, London.

Education & Career :

University of Glasgow. Doctor

Service Life:

Campaigns:

Unit / Ship / Est.: No. 6 Mobile Laboratory 

Action : The Battles of the Somme 1916 

The Battle of the Somme 1st July - 18th November 1916 is inevitably characterised by the appalling casualties (60,000) on the first day, July 1st 1916. Having failed to break through the German lines in force, and also failed to maximise opportunities where success was achieved, the battle became a series of attritional assaults on well defended defence in depth. The battle continued officially until 18th November 1916 costing almost 500,000 British casualties. German casualties were about the same, and French about 200,000. The Somme could not be counted a success in terms of ground gained or the cost, but it had a strategic impact as it marked the start of the decline of the German Army. Never again would it be as effective whilst the British Army, learning from its experience eventually grew stronger to become a war winning army. The German High Command recognised that it could never again fight another Somme, a view that advanced the decision to invoke unrestricted submarine warfare in an attempt to starve Britain of food and material, and in doing so accelerated the United States declaration of war thus guaranteeing the eventual outcome. 287 Brethren were killed on the Somme in 1916.

Detail :

BMJ: 30/9/1916 Captain Thomas Strain, R.-A.M.C., was accidentally killed on service oni September 16th. He was the younaest son of Mr. W. Strain, of Buarbrae, Wishaw, and was educated at St. MuIngo's College and Anderson's College, Glasgow, and at tlle University, where lio graduated M.B. and Ch.B. in 1906, and M.D. in 1910. He took the D.P.I. Cambridge in 1908, and filled successively tlle posts of residenit miiedical officer of Enfield and Edmiolnton Joint Isolation Hospital; of assistant medical officer of hlealth and school medical officer to the Ayrsljire Coulnty Council; and of medical officer of lhealth, bacteriologist, -medical superintendent of the Infectious Diseases Hospital, and medical officer of tlle tuberculosis dispensary to the Baines Urban District Council. Before the war lie was medical officer of lhealth alnd school medical oficer of Heston and Isleworth Urban District, and consulting plhysician to the Richmond, Heston, and Isleworth Joint Isolation Hospital Comnmittee. He took a temporary comniission in the R.A.M.C. on April 12th, 1915, and was promoted to captain on completion of ayear's service.

Masonic :

TypeLodge Name and No.Province/District :
Mother : Beckenham No. 2047 E.C.London

Initiated
Passed
Raised
11th November 1909
9th December 1909
14th April 1910
 

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

Additional Source:

Last Updated: 2017-07-29 14:09:17