Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An interesting Victory Medal awarded to Private H. Haw M.M., West Yorkshire Regiment, who was caught stealing eggs from a Yorkshire hen-house in a ‘sting’ operation reminiscent of a modern-day children’s animation: Losing his reserved occupation in consequence, Haw went on to serve with distinction on the Western Front

Victory Medal 1914-19 (49515 Pte. H. Haw. W. York. R.) edge bruising, nearly very fine £60-£80

M.M. London Gazette 22 July 1919.

Harold Haw was born in Bradford in 1890 and spent his childhood at Fieldhouse Farm, Farsley. A married market gardener and father to two small children, his formerly quiet life was rudely interrupted when he caught the attention of the local authorities and The Shipley Times and Express on 22 June 1917:
‘Robbing a Calverley Hen-Roost - How a Thief was Captured and Punished
At the Bradford West Riding Police Court, on Monday, Harold Haw, labourer, of Pudsey, was charged with stealing two eggs on June 14th, the property of Mr. Henry Jagger of Calverley. He pleaded guilty.
Mr. Wm. Walker, surveyor to the District Council, and also a special constable, said that on May 31st he called to see Mr. Jagger on business connected with Council matters, and Mr. Jagger said that on particular days he did not get many eggs from his poultry. He suspected that this shortage was possibly connected with the visits of a man who was in charge of a horse and waggon delivering goods for the Farsley branch of the Leeds Industrial Co-op. Society. The thefts had coincided with the man’s visits so often that they could hardly be a coincidence. Witness arranged with Mr. Jagger that on the 14th inst. a trap should be set, and that they would watch the man. Three eggs were punctured with a pin, and placed where the hens usually laid. This method of marking was adopted as being less noticeable than any other way, and also that it could not be rubbed off. Witness attended as arranged as about 10 a.m. on the 14th inst., and along with Mr. Jagger, went into a bedroom of the farm-house, from which a window overlooked the farm-yard.

Shortly after the accused, accompanied by two youths, brought his waggon into the yard. He then carried a sack of bran into the mistal through the top door. One of the eggs was on some hay near the door. Accused shortly afterwards came out and sauntered down the yard and again entered the mistal by the lower door. He did not stay inside many minutes, and later paid a short visit to the hen-house. The boys were delivering goods in a box, placing them in an old cottage, as the house was locked up, in the absence of both Mr. and Mrs. Jagger on business. Accused and the boys then went to the waggon and across to an adjacent farm occupied by Mr. Newton Wood. Witness and Jagger then went down and found two of the marked eggs gone. The third egg was in a nest in the hen-house, and a hen which was wanting to sit had gone into the nest and thus covered the egg.

Witness followed accused and caught him just as he was delivering a sack of meal at Mr. Wood’s. Witness said: “I want those two eggs you have got from the other farm.” Accused replied, “What eggs?” Witness said, “Those two eggs which you have got, and which are marked.” Witness drew his attention to his badge of ‘special constable,” and informed him that he should search him if the eggs were not given up. After some little hesitation, accused handed over the two eggs, one from each side pocket of his inside coat. Witness then took his name and address, and told him that he should report him. Accused was subsequently arrested by P.C. Woodhouse.’

At trial the Clerk asked the farmer, Mr. Jagger, if the hens laid in the mistal:
“Yes, but they don’t lay marked eggs!” (laughter)’

In summing up the case, the chairman described Haw’s actions as rather despicable and mean and he was given the choice between a 40 shilling fine or a month in the cells; it seems likely that he chose the latter.

On 23 July 1917, Haw attested for the West Yorkshire Regiment and commenced training as a Lewis gunner. The recipient’s Army Service Record confirms his address at this time as 11 Croft Place, Pudsey, and notes his posting to France in March 1918. Serving with the 8th Battalion, he suffered a shrapnel wound to the right thumb near Tronville on 7 September 1918. Transferred to the 1/6th Battalion, he joined the Army of Occupation on the Rhine and was awarded the Military Medal. Returned home to Yorkshire, Haw died at North Bierley in 1921.