Dugald Thomas Main
From Our Contribution
 Western Mail | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown |
| Place of Birth | Ballarat, Victoria |
| Death | 25 Jan 1962, aged 80 |
| Place of Death | Wembley, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 35 Years, 9 months |
| Description | 5' 7½" (1.71m) tall; weight 160 lbs (72.6kg); medium complexion, blue eyes, brown hair |
| Occupation | engine fitter |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Post Office Beenup, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife Mrs Levina Main |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 4420 |
| Date of Enlistment | 20 Jul 1917 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 2nd Pioneer Battalion, Reinforcement 12 / 2nd Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 30 Oct 1917 - 27 Dec 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A60 Aeneas |
| Date of Return | 16 Jun 1919 - 24 Jul 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | RMS Ormonde |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 30 Aug 1918 Mount St Quentin Returned to Australia |
| Monument | none at present |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
In 1902 he married Levina Bennett in Coolgardie. Levina died in West Leederville on 21 Jul 1963, aged 81.
Electoral Roll entries - 1910 with Levina at 17 Lode street, Brown Hill (Kalgoorlie) an engine driver; 1913 moved by himself to Gwalia.
War Service
After enlisting in Perth, Dugald was sent to Broadmeadows camp in Victoria for Pioneer training.
On his arrival in England he was posted to the Pioneer Training Battalion at Sutton Veny on 27 Dec 1917.
Proceeded to France via Southampton on 7 Apr 1918, and taken on strength of 2nd Pioneer Battalion on 26 Apr 1918.
On 30 Aug 1918 Dugald received a severe shell wound to his head and chest. Initially treated by 6th Australian Field Ambulance he was passed to the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station and the 12th General Hospital in Rouen before on 5 Oct 1918 being embarked for the UK on HMHS Gloucester Castle at Rouen. On arrival in England he was admitted to 3rd Western General Hospital in Cardiff.
The unit War Diary doesn't specifically mention how the wound was received, simply 1 wounded and 3 to hospital, sick. However, two of the Companies were reconnoitring roads in the forward area and could have been observed by enemy artillery.
Finally thought to be 'out of danger' on 30 Oct 1918, and by 1 Jan 1919 he was reported as being convalescent. On 14 Mar 1919 Dugald was transferred to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, and was released on 7 Apr 1919 for two weeks leave.
The length of time between Dugald's return to Fremantle and his discharge (8 months) would suggest that he spent a considerable time as both in and out patient at 8th General Hospital Fremantle after his return.
Discharged 5 Mar 1920 at 5th Military District.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1916 - 1925 an engineer at the State Brickworks in Beenup; 1929 at 53 Kimberley street, Balkatta, where they remain until WW2; 1943 - 63 at 70 Ruislip street, Leederville.
Notes