Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Freemasons VC Memorial | Great Queen Street | |
Awards & Titles: | Victoria Cross Military Cross | ||
Family :
Reginald Leonard Haine (1896-1982), known as Bill, was born at Earlsfield, Wandsworth, London on 10th July 1896. His father, Harry James Haine, was a teacher, and married Louisa Margaret Smith at Crewkerne, Somerset in 1891. She was an assistant schoolteacher and schoolmistress prior to her marriage. Just after Bill’s birth, his father had become a Metropolitan Police officer, and had reached the rank of Detective Sergeant by 1901. Bill only had one brother, Harry Willis Haine, born in 1892.He married Dora Beatrice Holder on 21st November 1923 at St Mark’s, Woodcote, Purley, Surrey. The couple lived in Purley, until moving to Eastbourne, Sussex. They had one daughter, Janet, born in 1924.
Education & Career :
It is not known where Bill was educated, but he was a patrol leader with Petersham Boy Scout Troop. He was articled to a firm of accountants before earning his Chartership.
After WW1 he became a chartered accountant with Messrs Andrew Low, Son & Co and was later a director of Jennings Hotels Ltd.
Bill died at St Thomas’s Hospital, Lambeth, London on 12th June 1982. His funeral was held at the Parish Church of St Mary, Eastbourne and he was cremated at Chichester Crematorium, where his ashes were scattered in the Garden of Remembrance. A memorial plaque was placed at the crematorium. In addition to the VC and MC, he was awarded the 1914 Star with “Mons” clasp, British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal 1914-19 with Mentioned in Despatches oakleaf, India General Service Medal 1908-35 with “Afghanistan NWF 1919” clasp, Defence Medal 1939-45, George VI Coronation Medal 1937, Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953 and Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal 1977. The VC is owned privately and is on loan to the Imperial War Musuem, where it is displayed in the Ashcroft Gallery.
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: Honourable Artillery Company |
| Action : War Survivor |
Although many perished in times of national conflict and in the service of their country, many more survived including those interned as Prisoners of War. Stories of those who did survive are included as part of this site, especially those with high gallantry awards, those included against an external rolls of honour and those who had a distinguished career in wartime and military leaderhip.
He can be heard recounting some of his First World War experiences in Peter Jackson's film They Shall Not Grow Old.
He was promoted to Lieutenant on 7th June 1918 and was seconded on probation to the Indian Army on 6th November. He served with the 1/35th Sikhs, before transferring to the Indian Army on 11th January 1919. He was awarded the Military Cross for his actions at Dakka, Afghanistan on 17th May 1919, when during the fighting near the summit of a hill he did everything he was able to to collect the man for an attack on the enemy trenches in the face of heavy fire. He was presented with his MC at Buckingham Palace on 10th March 1920. Bill acted as Adjutant of 1/35th Sikhs as an acting Captain in May 1919, and left the Indian Army on 12th January 1920.
Bill was promoted to Captain in the Honourable Artillery Company on 2nd January 1928 and he transferred to the TA Reserve of Officers on 15th June 1929. During World War II, he served in the Home Guard and was Lieutenant Colonel and Commanding Officer of 58th Surrey (Purley) Battalion from 1st February 1941. He was a founder member of the VC and GC Association in 1956 and joined the Committee. He was also Chairman of the Baltic Exchange Branch of the British Legion, meeting in Merchants Hall, London.
Citations & Commemorations :
On 28/29 April 1917 near Gavrelle, France, when British troops were holding a salient which was being repeatedly counter-attacked by German forces, 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 again attacked and recaptured the position. His splendid example inspired his men during more than 30 hours of continuous fighting.Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | FitzRoy No. 569 E.C. | London |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
- | - | - |
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley