Reginald Leonard Haine

Lieutenant Colonel Reginald Leonard Haine VC MC (10 July 1896 – 12 June 1982) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Reginald Leonard Haine

VC MC
Born10 July 1896
Wandsworth, London
Died12 June 1982
Lambeth, London
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
British Indian Army
RankLieutenant Colonel
UnitHonourable Artillery Company
Battles/warsWorld War I
AwardsVictoria Cross
Military Cross
Other workChartered accountant

First World War service

Haine was 20 years old, and a second lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 28/29 April 1917 near Gavrelle, France,[1] 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.[2]

He can be heard recounting some of his First World War experiences in Peter Jackson’s film They Shall Not Grow Old.[3]

Haine was later attached to the 35th Sikhs, Indian Army and was awarded the Military Cross for his actions on the North West Frontier of India at Dakka, 17 May 1919.[4]

He is remembered on the Imperial War Museums' site We remember Reginald Leonard Haine.[5]

Subsequent career

He later achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel and commanded a Home Guard battalion during the Second World War. In later life he became a chartered accountant.[6]

Medal

The medal has been loaned by the family to the Imperial War Museum in London. A copy is on display at Headquarters, Honourable Artillery Company, Armoury House, London.

References
  1. "Victoria Cross details of Haine, Reginald Leonard Rank: 2nd..." WO 98/8/350. The National Archives (United Kingdom). Archived from the original on 4 November 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  2. "No. 30122". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 April 1917. p. 5703.
  3. Voices included in They shall not Grow Old Imperial War Museum
  4. London Gazette, 2 December 1919
  5. Lives of the First World War
  6. Howitt, Harold, The History of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. Heinemann, London, 1966.
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