Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War C.B., C.M.G. group of nine awarded to Brigadier-General N. W. Haig, 6th Dragoons, who was four times Mentioned in Despatches, and was awarded the Royal Humane Society’s silver medal for saving life in South Africa during the Boer War

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband, traces of white enamel restoration to tips of points of cross; The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with integral riband buckle; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Capt. N. W. Haig. 6/Dns.); 1914-15 Star (Lt: Col: N. W. Haig. 6/Dns:); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Brig. Gen. N. W. Haig.); Jubilee 1897, silver; Delhi Durbar 1911, silver; Royal Humane Society, small silver medal (successful) (Lieut: N. W. Haig. 6th. Dragoons. Mar. 15. 1900.) with integral top silver riband buckle, the group mounted court-style as originally worn, lacquered, generally very fine and better (9) £2,800-£3,200

C.B. London Gazette 1 January 1919.

C.M.G. London Gazette 1 January 1917.

Neil Wolseley Haig was born on 30 October 1868, the second son of Henry Haig Esq., and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment on 14 May 1887. He was commissioned into the Regular Army as a Second Lieutenant in the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons on 30 May 1891, and was promoted Lieutenant on 17 August 1892. He served with the Regiment in South Africa during the Boer War, where he was present at the operations in Cape Colony, including the actions at Colesberg, 1 January to 12 February 1900; operations in the Orange Free State, March to May 1900, including the action at Vet River; and operations in the Transvaal. Whilst in South Africa he was awarded the Royal Humane Society’s silver medal for saving life. For his services in South Africa he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901), and was promoted Captain on 6 May 1901.

Haig was advanced Major on 29 March 1905, and was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 2 July 1912. He subsequently served during the Great War with the 6th Dragoons on the Western Front from 11 December 1914, before joining the Staff, and was advanced Brigadier-General. For his services during the Great War he was three times Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 4 January 1917, 20 May 1918, and 20 December 1918), and was created a Companion of both the Orders of St. Michael and St. George, and the Bath. He died on 18 April 1926.

For the recipient’s related miniature awards see Lot 1232.