Herbert Henry Haines was born on 26 March 1913, the second of the three children, and the only son, of Herbert Haines (d.1916) and Jane Haines née Wallis (b.1888).
His younger sister, Jennie Maria Haines, was born on 14 October 1914 and when she was baptised on 18 November 1914 at Holy Trinity Church, Hoxton, the baptismal register showed the family living at 2 Trinity Place, Hoxton and that his father was a mail driver.
His father was killed in action on 15 September 1916 in The Somme, France, and his mother is recorded on electoral registers from 1920 to 1933 at 70 Shepherdess Walk, Hoxton.
The electoral registers for 1934 and early 1935 show him, his mother and his sister listed at 165 St John's Road, Hoxton. (Now called Pitfield Street, Hoxton). The register for the latter part of 1935 show them at 46 Prebend Street, Islington.
Electoral registers from 1937 show the family at 111 Haberdasher Street, Shoreditch and this is confirmed in the 1939 England and Wales Register where he is listed as a packer (outfitter). His mother and elder sister, Elsie Alice Haines (1910-1984), were also listed and his sister was recorded as a cardboard box maker.
He was enlisted as a private in the 14th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment), service number 4982376, when he was killed in action, aged 30 years, and he was buried in Plot 4, Row B, Grave 8, in the Beach Head War Cemetery, Via Nettunense, 60, 00042 Anzio RM, Lazio, Italy. (His gravestone incorrectly shows his age as 31 years).
Both he and his father are commemorated on the war memorial at Holy Trinity Church, Hoxton.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
