Walter Haigh
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Herbert Haigh and Fanny Holland married Caistor in 1887. Their first child, Albert was born the following year. In 1891, Fanny was registered on her own, working as a charwoman with 2 children, resident at Clarborough, nr Retford, Notts whilst her husband, Herbert was with his widowed mother in Torworth. By 1901, Fanny was a widow, supporting 4 children, all boys, Albert born 1888 Lincs, Arthur born 1890 Retford, Walter 1894 Retford and Harry, 1898 Retford, living at Woolpack Street, Retford. After her years as a widow, Fanny Haigh married p to William Barlow in 1914 in Worksop. Her third child, Walter, the centre of this text, married Florence Thompson, a Worksop born girl, in 1918 at Worksop and had a child, Walter Leonard on 23 April 1919. His father would never have seen his son as he died before his son was born.
Lce-Cpl Walter Haigh Worksop Guardian 27 September 1918 Another Worksop soldier to lay down his life is Lce-Cpl Walter Haigh, Hampshire Regiment, whose wife resides with her mother, Mrs Thompson, 4 Crown Street, and son of Mrs Barlow, Newgate Street. The deceased soldier who was 24 years of age, was only married five weeks ago. He was at home on August 28th and was killed in action a week later, viz. Sept 4th. He enlisted at the outbreak of war with the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, prior top which he worked at Manton. He subsequently transferred to the Dragoon Guards and later to the Infantry Regiment, in which he was when the end came. He had seen service in Egypt, Salonica and Italy and had twice been in France. Writing to deceased’s widow, Sec-Lieut Barnes , expresses his sympathy and says that Haigh was killed about 6 am on the 4th inst. “Corpl Haigh was a very fine soldier, and although I knew very little of him, I assure you he was very much liked by all the men of my Company, and respected and relied on, his officers. I did not see him killed so can give very little details. The attack we did was absolutely terrible. I have never seen anything like it…. Your husband was a very promising NCO and was bound to get on. He was most reliable in every way, and had a very taking way with the men. I am sorry to say there is practically no information to hand about his actual death, but I am given to understand that he was shot by a machine gun bullet and died almost immediately with no suffering at all. If you feel in the mood to write me and put a few questions, It would help me to get more information, and you may rest assured that I will leave no stone unturned to accede to your wishes. All I can say now is, you have the consolation that knowing your man died, fighting a soldier’s battle for freedom, an honourable and glorious death. On behalf of the Battalion and my Company, I offer the deepest and sincere sympathy in your bereavement, Very faithfully yours, Eric H Barnes, Sec-Lt.” A brother of Mrs Haigh’s has been gassed and another brother is in the Navy.
Commemorated on the Voormazeele Enclosure No 3, Belgium. Formerly 1833, Nottinghams Hire (Sherwood Ranger Yeomanry.) Research by Colin Dannatt
