Royal Military College Sandhurst Prize Medal, 70mm, silver, the reverse engraved ‘23 March 1904, won by A. B. Haig’, good very fine £80-£100

James N. Spencer Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, July 2004.

Arthur Brodie Haig was born on 31 January 1886, the youngest son of Henry Alexander Haig. Educated at Winchester College, he entered the Royal Military College at Sandhurst in 1903. A Second Lieutenant on the Unattached List in 1905, he was with the 24th Punjabis, Indian Army, in 1906. Attaining the rank of Captain in 1914, he served with distinction during the Great War, serving in Egypt and Mesopotamia. With the 24th Punjabis as part of the Kut Garrison he was captured and remained a Prisoner for War until repatriated on 18 September 1918. For his wartime services he was awarded the Military Cross and Bar (London Gazette 10 June 1920) and twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 13 July 1916 and 19 October 1916). Promoted Major in 1920, he was appointed G.S.O.2 India from September 1919 to September 1920, and from April 1922 to February 1923. In 1923 he received the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel and served as an Instructor at the Staff College, Quetta, 1923 to 1926. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in 1930, command of the 4/14th Punjab Regiment (late 24th Punjabis) followed during 1930 to 1932. He was D.D. of Staff Duties (G.S.O.1 India) from 1923 to 1933 and commanded the Dehra Dun Infantry Brigade, from 1933 to 1935. D.A. and Q.M.G., Eastern Command, India, from 1936 to 1937; he was promoted to the rank of Major-General in 1936 and was awarded the C.B. in 1937. Haig then served as Commandant of the Quetta Staff College between 1937 and 1940. Attaining the rank of Lieutenant-General in 1940, he was Quartermaster General in India during 1940-41; Adjutant General, India in 1941; and General Officer Commanding Southern Command, India in 1941. He retired and was created a K.C.B. in 1942 and died in 1957.