Reginald Leonard Haine

He held a salient through repeated attacks and led his force

Reginald Leonard Haine was born in Wandsworth in 1896. He joined the Honourable Artillery Company in 1914 and was commissioned in 1916. At Gavrelle on 28–29 April 1917, Second Lieutenant Haine led six grenade attacks, captured a strongpoint and held his trench against repeated counterattacks overnight. He attacked again next morning, recapturing the position after more than thirty hours of fighting. He later earned the MC with the 35th Sikhs in Afghanistan and commanded the 58th Surrey Home Guard as a lieutenant colonel.

After Indian Army service, Haine returned to chartered accountancy in London and continued in the Territorial Army. His later Home Guard command drew on experience gained in France and Afghanistan. From 1956 until 1982 he served on the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association committee. He died at St Thomas’s Hospital, London, on 12 June 1982 and was cremated at Chichester after a funeral at Easebourne.

Victoria Cross citation Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 8 June 1917. 8 June 1917, Numb. 30122, p. 5703

For most conspicuous bravery and determination, when our troops, occupying a pronounced salient, were repeatedly counter-attacked. There was an ever-present danger that if the enemy attack succeeded, the garrison of the salient would be surrounded. 2nd Lt. Haine organised and led with the utmost gallantry six bombing attacks against a strong point which dangerously threatened our communication, capturing the position together with fifty prisoners and two machine guns. The enemy then counter-attacked with a battalion of the Guard, succeeded in regaining his position, and the situation appeared critical. 2nd Lt. Haine at once formed a block in his trench, and for the whole of the following night maintained his position against repeated determined attacks. Reorganising his men on the following morning, he again attacked and captured the strong point, pressing the enemy back for several hundred yards, and thus relieving the situation. Throughout these operations, this Officer’s superb courage, quick decision and sound judgement were beyond praise, and it was his splendid personal example which inspired his men to continue their efforts during more than thirty hours of continuous fighting.