Herbert de Haga HAIG, Middleton's AQMG 1885 Canada

[Will Mathieson]

Hello, I am looking for a portrait or picture of H de H Haig R.E. He was A.Q.M.G. to Gen. Middleton during the Canadian 1885 Rebellions. Other than Middleton he was the only other serving British officer during the campaign. I currently have only one picture but it is small and has little definition. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Waggoner]

Will,

Have you taken a drive to Ottawa and looked through the LAC files? Maybe there is something there.

All the best,

Gary

[GrantRCanada]

.... Other than Middleton he was the only other serving British officer during the campaign.

What about Lord Melgund, Middleton's Chief of Staff?

[dannybou]

There seems to be some records of H de H Haig at LAC. Search their website for archives and you will find some documents and possibly some photos.

[Waggoner]

Will,

Nice article about him in the current edition of the MCCofC Journal. I take it that you never found a picture of him?

All the best,

Gary

[Will Mathieson]

I only have one picture of him in uniform with the sword. It was my oversight to not include it. The picture is small and grainy and does not show the facial features well, but does show the sword before being rehilted to the P1897.
I will take a photo of it and see if it comes out ok on this forum.

[Will Mathieson]

Here is one picture of Herbert de Haga Haig.It's not as bad as I had remembered it, but am still looking for a clearer portrait. I think the medal he is wearing is the North West 1885 Canada. One book on medals I have, stated that no British soldiers were in the 1885 campaign, but this is obviously incorrect, two were.

[Will Mathieson]

Library and Archives Canada hold an original picture of H de H Haig as pictured in a Parks Canada book Battle of Batoche. They provide a paid for service that you may order a copy in several sizes, b&w or colour. The picture once found on their site can be ordered online, their communication is great. They called me asking just how I wanted the photo to be finished, had it done in colour to capture the age tint that they said it had acquired over time. I have yet to receive it, it does take some time. I ordered an 8x10 to use in my display of his sword.
I am interested if anyone has a RE badge as pictured from the 1880's that I could use to enhance the display.

[GrantRCanada]

Excellent news, Will!

(Post a scan of the image when you get it, if you are willing and if that won't breach protocol in some way. I'm hopeful it doesn't, as I would imagine the image is long out of copyright ...)

[Will Mathieson]

I will gladly post the picture when I receive it. I believe it is the same one as pictured above, from The Battle of Batoche book from Parks Canada. Once received I can start assembling the sword display including an original helmet plate as pictured in a copy of one other photo of Haig circ 1890's with him in uniform with sword and helmet. I may add a copy of the books front cover : Major Boulton, on the Rebellions, a great read written at the time. Haig was mentioned in dispatches and was found to be "cool under fire" during battles. I can only imagine Haig wearing the sword during the rebellions and what it could say if it could only talk.

[Will Mathieson]

Just received my 8x10 photo of Capt. H de H Haig R.E. A very good copy from the original that Library and Archives Canada hold, great detail! It did take some time as their site states it would, but well worth it. I still have to decide what to use and where to put the pictures and article, they are shown loose at the bottom of the display board. The belt buckle I believe is a Victorian example of an Engineers, but I have not found another example or reference to substantiate this, any help is appreciated.

[Will Mathieson]

[Will Mathieson]

Hello, I am researching this officer who was AQMG to Maj Gen Middleton during the 1885 rebellions. H de H Haig was a British officer with the field force. What I am trying to do, and I have come to a stop, is ascertain if Herbert de Haga Haig has any close living relatives. I am looking for his NWC 1885 medal, but it may still be with the family. If I found that it was not with the family, there would be a slight hope of finding his medal, however I could stop my search early if his relatives have it.

[Waggoner]

Will,

Have you tried Ancestry (UK) or the National Archives for his service records and will? These might give you the leads that you are looking for. Good luck!

All the best,

Gary

[Will Mathieson]

Hello Gary, I have tried The Peerage and other free sites. I have Haigs service records but not his will. It appears from what I can find that his children or grandchildren (can't remember due to finding little) just fade out, but this could be my lack of skill as a researcher.
Ancestry UK I believe is a pay site, but I think I'm at an end without it.