Richard Haigh MC "Life in a tank"

[Mark Hansen]

I've attached a sketch showing the cab fronts of the British heavies. Not to any scale but handy for identification.

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thanks guys, for the advice and especially for the idiot's guide to tank cab recogniton

I found the picture whilst googling and did not keep track of the source - sorry

Stephen

[AndrewFrench]

CAme across this thread while looking for things connectyed with Berkshire.

 Prior to WW1 Dick Haigh worked in the editorial Dept of Sutton Seed in Reading. In his spare time he was in Trooper in the Berkshire Yeomanry TF.

 He served in No1 Troop of the B (Reading) Sqdn.

 In late Autumn 1914 he applied for a commission in the Royal Berkshire Regt.

 Following the war he had a successful career working for HMV

READING OBSERVER 13th FEBURARY 1915

 During the past week Reading school has received yet another compliment by the fact that five of its old scholars have received commissions. It is curious that they were all boys at school together, four served together in the Berkshire Yeomanry, and all received their commissions on the same day. They are Mr Hugh P Brown, Mr CJ Fuller, Mr Hereward P Sadler, Mr Richard Haigh and Mr [Harold C] Churchill.

 The first named is son of Mr & Mrs Dymore Brown of Queen’s Road. He joined the Yeomanry about a year ago, and since mobilisation has been with the regiment at Churn and Norfolk. He has been gazetted a Second Lieutenant and has been transferred to the 9th Royal Berks. At present time he is at Keeble College, Oxford, completing his training.

 Mr CJ Fuller is the son of Mr & Mrs JH Fuller of “Hartleigh” Eastern Avenue, Mr Fuller being the head of the well-known firm of wholesale grocers, of Minster Street. He is now Second Lieutenant attached to the 6th Berks and is also at Keeble College.

 Mr Hereward P Sadler, who is the son of Mr William Sadler, the headmaster of St Johns schools, has received a commission in the 6th Berks, and is now at Worcester College [previously Tpr 1764 Berks Yeo]

 Mr “Dick” Haigh is the son of Mr William Haigh of “Llanarth”, Hamilton Rd, who is well-known as Master at Reading College,

 Whilst Mr Churchill is the son of Mr & Mrs HA Churchill of Willow Cottage, Hamilton Rd. Mr Haigh has been in the Berkshire Yeomanry and Mr Churchill who was in the Berkshire Yeomanry some time ago, has received a commission in the 9th Berks.

All will join with us in congratulating the new subalterns on receiving their commissions.

WAR DIARIES - Royal Berkshire Regt

1st Royal Berkshire Friday 30th April 1915 France, BETHUNE

Battn in billets at BETHUNE. Battn field day. Several officers dined with General Sir Charles Munro, Commanding 1st Corps.

Lieut R HAIGH arrived, posted to C Coy.

1st Royal Berkshire Saturday 15th May 1915 France, RICHBOURG I'AVOUE

Preparations continued for the assault. Our artillery shelled the German breastworks heavily all day. Germans replied wounding a good many of our men. At 3.50pm the order was received that the Battn was to assault at 11.30pm in the night. Major C G Hill DSO Commanding the Battn made the following dispositions: "C" Company under Capt E M ALLFREY, with 2/Lieuts C S Searle, H R H Hilliard, R HAIGH were to assault and take the first German trench. They were to carry 250 bombs. "D" Company under Captain C W Frizzell with Lieut G Gregson-Ellis, Lieut C R Taffs, Lieut E Basedin were to pass through "C" Company and push on and attack the second German trench.

"B" Company under Captain G Belcher, with Lieut C W Green, Lieut E. Getting, and 2/Lieut L H Allison were to push on to the second German trench and start to consolidate the ground made good by "D" Company. They were to carry 90 shovels and 70 picks. "A" Company under Lieut W G Cox with Lieut G T S Weston Lieut H G Clark 2/Lieut R D Apps were to go to the first German trench and consolidate the ground won by "C" Company. They were to carry 90 shovels, 10 picks and 400 sandbags. Two sections, and 2 machine guns were to accompany "B" company under 2/Lieut E L Gerwood. The ammunition carriers were to follow in rear of "A" company. They were also to carry all the periscopes.

Captain S D Large Army Medical Corps established a dressing station about half a mile in rear, with all the necessary arrangements for the wounded. The brigade were to attack in accordance with the attached Brigade order:

7th Btn KINGS (Liverpool) Regt were on the right.1st Btn R Berkshire Regt were in the centre.

1st Btn KRRC on the left

On the left of the 1st KRR the 5th Brigade were to attack.

The portion of the German trenches which the Battn had to assault lay between R1 and R6. See attached map shaded portion. The distance to be covered was about 450 yards. The idea was for all the assaulting companies with the exception of "A" Company which was to remain in our trenches at the Btn Reserve, (with orders to keep up sniping fire on the German trenches) to get out over the parapet and lie down in front of our trenches about 50 yards to the front until the time for the assault. The following prearranged signals were utilized. One motor lamp was to be put on the German parapet when the first trench was captured. When the second German trench was captured another motor lamp was to be placed on top of the first one. Captain M C Radford was placed in charge of the two assaulting companies. The men were dressed in fighting order** and each man carried three sandbags.

[Margin note in sheet] ** Fighting order. The pack is discarded. The haversack is placed on the back in the position where the pack is normally carried. Each haversack contains the following articles:

1. Day Rations. 2. Canteen i.e. mess tin. 3. Soap, towel, shaving kit. 4. Spare pair of laces.

All water bottles filled. Each man carried his mackintosh cape rolled on his belt fastened in the centre of his back. A spare pair of socks carried inside mackintosh cape. Each man carried 200 rounds of ammunition, except grenadiers, who carried 100 rnds and 6 bombs each.

The compass bearing was taken which was 155 degrees. The time for the assault to start was 11.30pm. Major C.G.Hill DSO Commanding the Battn decided that "C" Company should rise and start at 11.30pm. "D" Company to follow at 11.32pm, "B" Company at 11.37pm. "A" Company he kept in his own hands. Our getting out places were all carefully marked, and at 10.30pm "C" Company started to get out over the parapet very silently, and lay down 50 yards in front of our line of trenches - then "D" Company proceeded very silently to get over and lay down behind "C" Company, then "B" Company proceeded very silently to get over the parapet and lay down behind "D" Coy. All companies were in single file, on a frontage of about 200 yards. The machine gun sections followed "B" Company.

All three companies were out ready by 11.15pm and all was done without the enemy having any knowledge. The night was fairly dark and it was difficult to discern any movement. Punctually at 11.30pm "C" Company rose, and proceeded in quick time. They got about 150 yards before the Germans were aware of their approach, when suddenly a very heavy rifle and machine gun fire was opened on them. They then rushed the remaining 200 yards and reached the first German trench. Here they bombed, and in many cases caught hold of the German rifles and shot the firer. Meantime, "D" Company was advancing through a hail of rifle and machine gun fire. They reached the first trench, went right on, assaulted and took the second trench. This second trench was about 80 yards in rear of the first trench. Then "B" Company came up and immediately started to consolidate the trench "D" Coy had taken. Unfortunately Captain Belcher Commanding "B" Coy was killed very early in the advance, this made "B" Company rather longer in coming up than would have otherwise been the case.

About 11.45pm Major C G Hill DSO Commanding the Battn came up himself with two platoons of "A" Company. He reached the first German trench where he halted for a short time and rallied the men, then proceeded to the second German trench, and immediately issued orders for its consolidation. The remaining two platoons of "A" Company were then ordered up.

The KRRs on our left had also reached their objectives and taken and consolidated the German trenches on our left. On our right the 7th KINGS (Liverpool) Regt had also reached the German trenches but had come a little too much to their left. By this unfortunate error some of the enemy were not cleared from the right, and they did considerable damage by enfiladed fire. They surrendered next morning to the 1st KINGS when some 200 prisoners were taken.

Thus by 12 midnight the whole Battn had been launched to the assault, and had taken all the German trenches allotted to them as their task. The assault was completely successful, magnificently timed, and magnificently carried out. The enterprize, alas, was NOT accomplished without heavy losses, our casualties were as in the margin.

See attached orders, map, newspaper cutting from the LONDON TIMES dated May 17th.

[Margin notes re casualties]

Killed. Captain G Belcher. Lieut W.J Cox, Lieut C.R. Taffs, Lieut H.J. Clarke. 45 other ranks.

Wounded. Captain E.M Allfrey, Lieut E Baseden, 2/Lieut C.S. Searle, 287 other ranks.

Missing. 2/Lieut L.H. Alison, 2/Lieut R.S. Apps. 75 other ranks.

1st Royal Berkshire Thursday 8th July 1915 France, BETHUNE

6th Brigade marched out and lined both sides of the Bethune Locon road for inspection by the Secretary of State for War Lord Kitchener, leaving barracks at 9.30am. The Battn had a long rather weary wait, returning to barracks about 12.45pm. Brigadier General McClintock came over and had tea in the Officers Mess in the afternoon.

2/Lts Hilliard and HAIGH left on eight days leave for England.

1st Royal Berkshire Saturday 17th July 1915 France, LE QUESNOY

CO inspected billets at 10am and the Transport at 11am. Companies on ajconduct [?] sheets at 12 noon. Coys at disposal of OC.

2/Lts Hilliard and HAIGH returned from leave. 1 man killed (L/C Carrick) on working party. 1 wounded.

1st Royal Berkshire Tuesday 28th September 1915 France, VERMELLES

12.30 am. Battalion collected from fatigues and working parties in order to attack FOSSE No 8 at 2.30am. Capt Radford DSO went to the Brigade HQ at the VII Divisional Dugouts to explain that the battalion were scattered on fatigues and that the position to be attacked and the approaches were strange to the officers.

Personal message from General Gough (1st Corps) explained that owing to the situation the attack was imperative.

Coys moved in file to the rendezvous A. B. C. D. HQ MGs. Here the battalion formed up in Company Column and advanced towards the objective 800 yards away. During the advance two lines of captured German trenches and two lines of barbed wire had to be crossed - these were manned by British troops.

Owing to the bright moonlight the enemy saw us advancing when we were 400 yards from our objective (FOSSE 8): they put up "very" lights and kept up a continuous rifle fire on us from our right front - this grew heavier as we got nearer.

The Battalion advanced steadily A, B and part of C Coy going straight for the FOSSE. They were unable owing to the heavy fire from the enemy who by this time were manning the top of the FOSSE to gain the slag heap, being checked about 70 yards from it. D and part of C Coy meanwhile advanced and manned the front British trench.

During this time 2nd Lieut A B Turner single handed bombed down a German communication trench driving the enemy before him a distance of over 150 yards. During the whole of this period the Germans were throwing bombs at 2/Lt Turner. While performing this very gallant act he was mortally wounded. By this time it was known that the CO Major Bird was wounded and Capt Radford DSO 2nd in command was killed.

In consequence the command devolved on Capt C W Frizzell who was in command of the rear company D: also by this time Colonel Carter the Brigadier was up in the first trench.

Seeing that the first two companies were checked Colonel Carter gave Captain Frizzell the order to charge with the remaining men available. This order was carried out. The leading men with Capt Frizzell in front got halfway up the slag heap when the Germans from the top threw bombs on our heads. This checked our further advance and the men retired to the front British trench, a distance of 150 yards.

As it was now getting daylight and the men were all rather exhausted Colonel Carter decided not to attack again. He ordered Capt Frizzell to re-organise in our old trenches.

Casualties. Killed. Capt M C Radford DSO. Died of wounds 2/Lt A B Turner.

Missing. Capt E N Getting, 2/Lt P C Rawson 2/Lt R A Summers, 2/Lt J W B Blazey.

Wounded and missing. Lieut G F M Hall.

Wounded. Major L W Bird, Lt E F Eager, Lt D E Ward, 2/Lt HAIGH, 2/Lt W S Mackey and Capt Adj C St Q Fullbrook Leggatt DSO.

Other ranks. Killed 17 missing 143 wounded 115. Total 288

The death of Captain Radford cannot be too much deplored. He was a very gallant officer and his loss is very keenly felt by everyone in the regiment and brigade. He was buried at Vermelles.

Search parties under Captain Large were untiring in the devoted manner they searched for the wounded.

The 1/2 Battalion 1st KRR were not able to reach the rendezvous and attack with us. Also the bombing parties from the regiments on our flanks were not there.

Colonel Carter CMG was ordered to take over the command of the 35th Brigade. The three battalions were temporarily handed over to the 22nd Brigade.

Captain C W Frizzell took over the command and reorganised the Battalion in our original position. He had with him Lieuts Ward, Jerwood, Chace and Jackson.

Lieut Ward sent to hospital wounded in the neck by Capt Large RAMC MO 1st Berks, who in the advanced British line had joined a dressing station - he worked with untiring devotion in evacuating the wounded.

Lieut E L Jerwood acted as adjutant to Captain Frizzell. Captain Gregson Ellis and 2/Lt Blackburn returned from hospital and the reserve officers came up from VERMELLES Lieuts Hilliard, Stokes, Green and Nicholls, also 16 reserve NCO's rejoined.

The day was spent in reorganising the companies - many men returned in afternoon as they manned the trenches while an attack was made on FOSSE 8 by the Buffs - Yorkshire Regt on our right - Royal Fusiliers on our left.

[Margin notes]

Reinforcement 16 other ranks joined the Battn.

Capt Ellis at once left the hospital when he heard of the officer casualties sustained

2nd Royal Berkshire Tuesday 16th May 1916 France, ALBERT

In billets at ALBERT. LIEUTS R HAIGH, H.E.W. PREST and 2nd LIEUT V.R. HUMPHREYS joined the Battalion. Lieut J McDONALD RAMC ceased to be attached to Battalion. CAPTAIN H.K.V. SOLTAU RAMC attached to Battalion. A draft of 35 other ranks joined Battalion.

2nd Royal Berkshire Saturday 29th July 1916 France, IN BRIGADE RESERVE TRENCHES

In Brigade Reserve Trenches. Captain R. HAIGH to Hospital. 2 men to Hospital.

2nd Royal Berkshire Tuesday 19th September 1916 France, IN BRIGADE SUPPORT

In Brigade Support. 1 O.R. wounded. 2 O.R. from hospital. Draft of 1 O.R. joined battalion. LIEUT R. HAIGH rejoined this day for duty and is attached to "D" Company.

2nd Royal Berkshire Tuesday 26th September 1916 France, IN THE TRENCHES

In Brigade Reserve trenches. 3 O.R. to and 3 O.R. from hospital. 1 O.R. wounded. MAJOR A.G. MACDONALD DSO assumes command of the Battalion from this date vice LIEUT COLONEL R. HAIG DSO to leave.

LIEUT R. HAIGH is attached to "B" Coy from this date inclusive, and assumes command of the company.

2nd Royal Berkshire Saturday 16th December 1916 France, METIGNY

Battalion in Billets at METIGNY. Lieut H.T.W. QUICK to hospl. Lieut H.E. HOWSE and 6 O.R. joined from Base. T/Captain R. HAIGH transferred to Heavy Branch M.G. Corps.

And finally a couple of photographs.

One at Camp in June 1914 and one circa October 1914.

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Andrew

That is an extremely generous gesture; did Richard Haigh (or Dick as I shall now call him) return to Reading after the war

Stephen

[eltoro1960]

You can pick up a copy from Canada, where the book is definitely classified as 'out of copyright'http://www.archive.org/details/lifeintank00haiguoft" target="_blank"> here

John

[AndrewFrench]

Andrew

That is an extremely generous gesture; did Richard Haigh (or Dick as I shall now call him) return to Reading after the war

Stephen

Hi Steve

I assume so, but I have no futher information about exactly where and when

Regards

Andrew

[delta]

Interesting to link the Reading newspaper cutting to the London Gazette:

The undermentioned Gentleman Cadets, from the Royal Military College, to be Second Lieutenants, Dated 17th February, 1915: —Richard Haig R Berks R (LG 16 Feb 1915)

[delta]

Long time no progress but .........

I have just found out that Dick Haigh acted as guardian to Will Sampson's younger son whilst in India.

Will Sampson, who commanded the tank Delilah at High Wood on 15 September 1916, went out to India in 1922 and served with an Armoured Car Compnay beofre he transferred to the Royal Indian Army Service Corps in the 1930s

Dick worked for HMV and became Chairman before according to one source moving into manure.........

On on.....

[Guest Browfield]

Richard Haigh is on my family tree. We have a distant connection through various marriages. He married on 8 Sep 1917, at St James' Church in Wetherby, West Yorkshire. His wife was Hope Garnett Murton (1890-1977) whose maternal relatives were the wealthy Garnett family from Otley, Yorkshire (Paper makers).

During WW1 Hope worked as a nurse in France in a war hospital as a V.A.D. At her wedding a gift was received from No.14 Gen Hospital, France, which presumably gives a clue to where she was stationed. Richard was wounded twice during the war serving with different battalions, in 1915, and in then 1916, the latter at the Somme. With Richard coming from Reading and Hope from Wetherby, I can only assume they met in France and that he was a patient in the hospital where she worked. If so, it is quite romantic and the sort of stuff that good films are made about! The couple had three children - Richard Murton Haigh (1918-2015), who won an M.C at Anzio in 1944, John Hope Shaw Haigh (1919-1943), who was killed in Egypt and is commemorated at The Alamein Memorial (column 268), and Hope Veronica Haigh.

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Welcome to the Forum and for providing the family information.