1 July 1916, Alexander Main, Age 35, Tyneside Scottish.

[dolly dimples]

Alexander was born in 1881 at Ulgham near Morpeth Northumberland. He worked in the coalmine before joining the army. He married Joanna Joyce,1902. to whom he had 5 children,
 Eleanor Main .Henry Michael Main (my Father) Margaret Main. Victoria Main,and Joyce Main,
 
    Alexander was the Grandfather I never knew, His body was never found ,  but we do have his pay book which was found, and is bloodstained ! I have a photo of him in his uniform, but is only head and shoulders.   His memorium in on the Thiepval Monument in France.
 I lit my candle tonight in his memory, and all the many thousands that went down with him.   God Bless them all.

[bykerlads]

There is a splendid memorial to the TYneside Scottish at La Boiselle, on the exact spot where the men fell in the battle of the Somme. I have visited it and am pleased to report that it is well-maintained and,though immensely touching, very impressive.
A fitting memorial to the brave men who died on that dreadful day.

[Treetotal]

Hi DD...I have Jessie Main in my Tree...born in Beverley..East Yorkshire...As it is an unusual name..I wondered if there was a connection...she was married to Thomas Capes...see his memorial on page 3 of this thread.
Carol

[dolly dimples]

Hi Treetotal, (love your title)
    I havent come across any Jessie Main in my Grandfathers' tree as yet, All of his family came from Scotland . His Grandfather Alexander Main appears to have come to England around the late 1780s, as my  Gt Grandfather Robert Main was born Lowick Northumberland about 1804, and being that Scottish genealogy is so difficult and expensive to obtain, I cant say much about before that date.  Another researcher who I was in contact with and had Main in his tree seems to think my Mains came from Stirling but ....           Sorry this is not much help,   Dolly