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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 689

A Great War 'Somme 1918' M.M. group of four awarded to Corporal F. C. Haines, 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment

Military Medal, G.V.R. (8003 L. Cpl F.C. Haines. 2/R. Berks: R.); 1914 Star, clasp (8003 Pte F.C.Haines. 2/R. Berks: R.); British War and Victory Medals (8003 Cpl. F.C. Haines. R. Berks. R.), contact marks, very fine (4)

M.M. London Gazette 16 July 1918.

Frederick Charles Haines was born in 1879 in Binfield, Berkshire and attested as a Boy with the 1st Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1893 aged 14, and was appointed Drummer the next year. He was stationed in Egypt and Sudan from January 1897 until October 1898, during which time he participated at the Battle of Omdurman where the unit formed part of Colonel Wauchope's 1st Brigade and helped defeat the Dervishes. Haines was later posted to India, where he remained from October 1898 until March 1903 and was later discharged in 1905 upon the completion of twelve years' service.

Haines attested with the Royal Berkshire Regiment just three months later and was sent back to India with the 2nd Berkshire Regiment. He was appointed Lance Corporal in October 1914 ahead of being sent to the Western Front, where his unit was part of the 25th Brigade, 8th Division. They entered the front line at Fauquissart and were engaged in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle and the attack on Ovillers. After a six month break at home, Haines was posted to Ypres in August 1917. The 8th Division was ordered to the Somme in March and entered the front line at Pargny, later retreating to Rosieres after the Germans attacked. Much reduced in number, the Regiment withdrew to Moreuil where they were attacked opposite Castel Bridge.

Haines was decorated with a Military Medal for 'gallantry and devotion to duty west of the Somme between 22nd March and 2nd April 1918'. After a brief period of home leave, Haines returned to France until he was discharged to Class Z Army Reserve in March 1919; sold together with copied research.

Haines is further entitled to a Queen's Sudan Medal and Khedive's Sudan Medal with a clasp for Khartoum.

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Sold for
£420

Starting price
£130