Herbert Haines was the son of Henry Robert Haines and was born about 1882 in Islington.
In 1909 he married Jane Wallis in the Shoreditch registration district and their daughter, Elsie Alice Haines (1910-1984), was born on 2 January 1910. Their daughter was baptised on 23 January 1910 at St Mary's Church, Hoxton, where the baptismal register states that the family were living at 53 Great Chart Street, Hoxton and his occupation was recorded as a carman.
The 1911 census shows him still as a carman but now living at 29 Great Chart Street, Hoxton, with his wife and daughter. His wife was shown as a presser of under-linen.
Their son, Herbert Henry Haines (1913-1944) was born on 26 March 1913. Their second daughter, Jennie Maria Haines, was born on 14 October 1914 and when she was baptised on 18 November 1914 at Holy Trinity Church, Hoxton it was recorded in the baptismal register that the family resided at 2 Trinity Place, Hoxton and his occupation was given as a mail driver.
He enlisted at the Finsbury Barracks as a Private in the 2nd Battalion, Leicester Regiment, service number 17175 and was later transferred into their 1st Battalion. He entered France on 27 May 1915 and was killed in action, aged 34 years, on 15 September 1916. As he has no known grave he is commemorated on Pier and Face 2C and 3A of the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
On 3 September 1917 his widow was sent his army effects of just 5 shillings and on 16 October 1919 his £6-10s-0d war gratuity to 70 Shepherdess Walk, City Road, Hoxton.
He was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
Both he and his son are commemorated on the war memorial at Holy Trinity Church, Hoxton.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
