Medals to The Rifle Brigade and Affiliated Regiments from the collection formed by Michael Haines

Michael Haines

Michael Haines, born in 1935, served with the Rifle Brigade for his National Service, 1959-1961, and in the London Rifle Brigade and 4th (Volunteer) Battalion, The Royal Green Jackets, retiring with the rank of Major in 1970. He is a trustee of the Royal Green Jackets Museum in Winchester.

Since 1970 he has collected medals, mainly to the Rifle Brigade. The theme of his collection is fourfold: one of everything to the Regiment, where present in Battalion or detachment strength; rare medals and clasps to members of the Regiment serving extra-regimentally; interesting groups; and medals not normally obtained by the Rifle Brigade but earned by those who ‘jumped ship’ and joined other units. The collection was later widened to encompass all volunteer and territorial battalions attached to the Rifle Brigade and also affiliated colonial regiments.

Michael has exhibited at the OMRS convention every year since 1980, and was awarded ‘best of show’ for his exhibit ‘The Rifle Brigade Extra Regimentally Employed’ in 1986. He has also published several articles in the OMRS Journal. In addition, he collects books about the Rifle Brigade. His critical bibliography on the subject, covering over 400 volumes, is obtainable from the Royal Green Jackets Museum, Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Road, Winchester.

Unfortunately Michael suffered a burglary in 1996, and details are appended of those medals which he rightfully regards as still being in his collection. If anyone is offered any of these items, please notify him on 020 7254 2339.