Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Boer War D.C.M. group of six awarded to Acting Sergeant C. Haigh, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding), who rendered gallant service as a Drummer in the Transvaal, and was later killed in action on the Western Front on 2 March 1916

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (4050 Dmr: C. Haigh. 1st. W. Riding Regt.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Relief of Ladysmith, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (4050 Dr: C. Haigh, W. Riding Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4050 Dmr: G. [sic] Haigh. W. Riding Regt.); 1914-15 Star (3-12061 Cpl.-A-Sjt. C. Haigh. W. Rid. R.); British War and Victory Medals (3.12061 A.Sjt. C. Haigh. W. Rid. R.) mounted court-style, good very fine (6) £1,200-£1,600

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901.

Charles Haigh was born in Bradford in 1876. A labourer, he attested at Bradford for the West Riding Regiment on 4 January 1894 and was immediately posted as Private to the 1st Battalion at Halifax. Sent to Malta between 1895 and 1898, he was transferred to South Africa on 29 December 1899 for service during the Boer War. Arriving aboard Orient, the 1st Battalion served as part of the VIth Division under General Kelly-Kenny, the Division soon distinguishing themselves in the advance from Modder River to Bloemfontein. Engaged at Klip Drift and Paardeberg, the West Ridings later lost Colonel Lloyd in an attempt to seize Rhonoster Kop.

Raised Lance Corporal on 2 March 1900, Haigh spent much of 1901 employed with the 1st Battalion in the Central Transvaal. On 31 August 1901, they had the grievous misfortune to lose 7 men killed, as well as 2 officers and 14 men wounded or injured, in the derailing of a train at Hamman’s Kraal. Lord Kitchener, referring to the incident, said: ‘Although it may be admitted that the mining of railways and the derailment of trains is in no way opposed to the customs of war where any definite object is in view, it is impossible to regard senseless and meaningless acts of this nature, which have no effect whatever on the general course of operations, as anything better than wanton murder.’

Mentioned in Despatches shortly afterwards on 10 September 1901, Haigh’s gallantry at around this time was further recognised by his superiors with the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Returned home to Barnsley after almost three years in South Africa, he was later discharged from the Army in 1910. He returned to fight during the Great War, and was killed in action on 2 March 1916 whilst serving with the 9th Battalion, West Riding Regiment. He has no known grave and is commemorated upon the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.