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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

General Haig's family


Kate Wills

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We hear much about Haig the soldier and strategist, but what of Haig the family man?

Did he have sons and daughters who served? Did he lose any close family members?

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He certainly had a cousin who retired after the war with the rank of Brigadier general

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Haig's nephew Cecil George De Pree (b.1872, 2nd son of George Charles De Pree and Mary Elizabeth Haig, the eldest sister of Douglas b.1843), educated at Eton, married Ruth Haig, the daughter of Hugh Veitch Haig, Earl Haig's brother - which I think means he married his own cousin.

Served 15th Hussars, served Egypt and Gallipoli and had a sap named after him in Gallipoli - 'De Pree's Sap'. Subsequently served as Maj. in Fife and Forfar Yeomanry on the Western Front, ended up as Lt. Col. 8th Labour Btn.

His poor wife Ruth De Pree, her brother Lt. Col. John Haig, her grandson David Pitcairn (aged 5) and his nurse Miss Margaret Spears were all killed on 22nd October 1944 at 11:00p.m. when a Mosquito of No 132 Operational Training Unit crashed onto their home, Beechill House, two miles SE of Haddington. C.G. survived but died 10th Feb. 1946 at a nursing home in Edinburgh.

I looked him up some time ago and had help from forum members, more details should appear if a search is conducted.

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FM Haig and Lady Haig had two daughters and a son who were young children during the Great War. His son, the present Earl, was, as said above, a POW in WW2.

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His son, the present Earl, was, as said above, a POW in WW2.

And is an Honorary Vice President of the WFA

Peter

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One of his relatives-Gt Grandson or similar runs an hotel on the Isle of Bute and is very approachable.His name is David Haigh

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