Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. and Second Award Bar group of four awarded to Brigadier C. F. T. Haigh, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, late 14th (1st London Scottish) Battalion, London Regiment, who was twice Mentioned in Despatches

Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, unnamed as issued; 1914 Star, with clasp (63 Sjt. C. F. Haigh. 14/Lond: R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major C. F. T. Haigh.) mounted as worn, edge bruise to BWM and light contact marks, generally very fine (4) £1,800-£2,200

M.C. London Gazette 18 June 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He collected a party of men and personally assisted extinguishing a fire which broke out in an ammunition dump. His gallant action undoubtedly saved lives.’

M.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 3 June 1919.

Cecil Francis Tyssen Haigh was born in Marylebone, London, in 1889 and was educated at St. Edmund’s College, Ware. After leaving school he became a Stockbroker’s Clerk in London, and in 1911 enlisted into the 14th (1st London Scottish) Battalion, London Regiment. A keen sportsman, he won many Regimental athletic titles, and also played rugby for London Scottish. Called up for service following the outbreak of the Great War, Haigh served with the Battalion as part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, on the Western Front from 16 September 1914, and first saw action at Messines Ridge, south of Ypres, in October 1914.

On 31 October, the London Scottish took up a position at L’Enfer Wood, just west of Messines Ridge, but were caught by enemy fire in open ground and forced to take shelter in abandoned trenches, fighting off enemy attacks at the point of the bayonet. Losses were inevitably high, and by nightfall the battalion had suffered over 300 casualties.

Haigh was commissioned temporary Lieutenant in the Army Ordnance Department on 29 March 1915, and served with them for the remainder of the War. For his services during the Great War he was advanced Major; was twice Mentioned in Despatches by his distant kinsman Field Marshal Haig (London Gazettes 4 January 1917 and 20 December 1918); and was awarded both the Military Cross and a Second Award Bar.

Haigh married Miss Vera LeBreton at Marylebone in December 1918, and after they were married had overseas postings to Hong Kong (1923-25) and Poona, India (1933-34). During the Second World War Haigh served as Deputy Director of Ordnance Services at the War Office, responsible for supplies of ammunition, tanks, military equipment and other material. He retired in 1946 with the rank of Brigadier, and died in Limpsfield, Surrey, in 1972.

Sold with the recipient’s Mentioned in Despatches Certificate, dated 8 November 1918; a London Scottish Rugby Club cloth badge; and a copy of Clan Haig of Bemersyde - a Family History’, which has a chapter on the recipient, including various photographic images.

For the medals awarded to the recipient’s son, see Lot 215.