Reginald Leonard Haine

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

HAINE Reginald Leonard (Reg. No.507)

2nd Lieutenant (later Lieutenant Colonel) 1st Battalion Honourable Artillery Company Gazetted on 8th June 1917 Born on 10th of July 1896 at Wandsworth, London.

Died on 12th June 1982 in London.

Memorial not known.

Digest of Citation reads: On 28th/29th April 1917 near Gavrelle, France, when our troopps were holding a salient which was being repeatedly counter-attacked by the enemy Second Lieutenant Haine organised and led six bombing attacks against a German strong point and captured the position, together with 50 prisoners and two machine-guns. The enemy at once counter-attacked and regained the lost ground, but Second Lieutenant Haine formed a ‘block' in his trench and for the whole of the following night maintained his position. Next morning he he again attacked and recaptured the position. His splendid example inspired his men during more than 30 hours of continuous fighting Additional information: He was also awarded the Military Cross and Bar. He was only 20 years old when he won the VC. He was the son of a Scotland Yard Policeman (the rank isn't stated) He spent some time as a Boy Scout before enlisting in the Honourable Artillery Company on the 24th August 1914. He was sent abroad a month later (September). He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in December 1916 and it was whilst he was attached to Sikhs, Indian Army that he won the Military Cross and Bar. He won the VC on the 28/29th of April 1917, on the same day as a comrade, and at the same battle, Lietenant Alfred Oliver Pollard. They were both at the investiture at Buckingham Palace and on their return to the Armoury House they were greeted by a rousing welcome. The two men 2nd Lieutenant Haine and Captain Pollard walked between the ranks of parading men to a raised platform. There along with their relatives they were greeted by General Sir Henry Mackinnon and Colonel The Earl of Denbigh. A speech was made by the Earl about the regimental traditions and the bravery shown by these ‘two boys.'

HALE, Thomas Egerton. (reg No. 5 08). Assistance Surgeon. 1st Battalion, 7th Regiment. (Royal Fusiliers).

Gazetted on 5th May, 1857.

Born on 24th September, 1832 at Faddiley, Nantwich, Cheshire.

Died on 25th December 1909 at Faddiley, Nantwich, Cheshire.

Memorial at Acton Church, Cheshire.

Digest of Citation reads: On 8th September, 1855, in the Crimea, at Sebastopol, during the attack on the Redan, Assistant Surgeon Hale remained with an officer who was dangerously wounded, when everyone except one other officer had retreated. Again, on the same day, after the regiment had retired to the trenches, Assistant Surgeon Hale cleared the most advanced sap * of the wounded and then carried into the sap, under heavy fire, several wounded men from the open ground.

* A Sap is a tunnel or concealed trench leading to a fortified place.

Additional information:. Lieutenant Colonel Hale was a Companion of the Order of the Bath. (CB). He also served in the Indian mutiny and was medical officer in charge of Cherat in 1860. From 1864-66 he was the medical officer in charge of the 2nd Punjab Infantry and other European detachments on the Punjab Frontier.