WEIN, David Charles

DIVISIONAL UNIT:        1st Canadian Infantry Division
                                             1st Infantry Brigade
                                             2nd Battalion  -  Eastern Ontario
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   19460
DATE OF BIRTH:            July 12, 1888
                                             Crediton – Stanley Township – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           April 23, 1915                      26 years
MEMORIAL:                    Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial – Ypres
                                             West Vlaanderen – Belgium
                                             Panel 10 – 18 – 26 - 28
MOTHER:                          Mrs. Elizabeth Wein – Credition - Ontario
Occupation:                        Harness Maker                     Religion:     Wesleyan
Enlistment:                         September 23, 1914 – Valcartier - Quebec
Enlistment age:                  26 years     2 months

Private Wein departed Canada bound for England and arrived in Liverpool in mid October 1914. His original regiment was the 101st Edmonton Fusiliers and was them from August 25 – September 22, 1914.  He then went to the 2nd Battery of the 9th Battalion and then transferred on February 26, 1915 to the 2nd Battalion. He then went overseas into France on March 22, 1915.
On the 22nd the 2nd Battalion was not involved in the battle but on the 23rd of April when they reinforced the 16th Canadian Scottish south of Kitchener’s Wood and they then joined the 14th Royal Montreal Regiment holding the village of St. Julien. The Canadians could see the German forces on the Gravenstafel Ridge preparing their positions. The British Command ordered the attack in broad daylight across open ground and against well entrenched and heavily armed enemy positions. Within just a few long minutes those Canadians still standing were forced to the ground to save themselves. In the middle of the afternoon they were again ordered to the attack and they were able to advance their position and close the flank that had been open.
The Battalion was located at Vlamertinghe on April 22nd and both the Battalion Diaries and Brigade Diaries tell us nothing happened on this day. However, the next day April 23rd was another story and this is when we believe Private Wein lost his life.
The location was Vlamertinghe and the left flank was on the woods and the right was 400 yards west of the St. Julien-Weiltje Road. The Battalion was positioned there to assist with a previously launched counter-attack against the enemy. The Battalion objective was to dislodge the enemy from his trench positions and then use those positions against the enemy. No. 1 Company attacked and three dug themselves in. The attacking Company was not successful as they experienced enemy enfilade machine gun fire from the flanks. No. 2 was firmy entrenched in a position right of the woods about 400 yards toward St. Julien. Later No. 4 Company along with a machine gun strengthened the right flank. 
No. 3 Company established a defensive line. During the day the positions were consolidated and strengthened  Then the 10th Battalion was withdrawn and No. 4 Company then occupied their position
Therefore we feel with some certainty that in all likelihood Private Wein was part of No. 1 Company which made the attack onto the enemy trench and that he was killed in fire as the result of enemy fire.