The Victoria Cross, Britain's highest award for military valour, bestowed upon a First World War hero for a legendary stand against overwhelming odds, has been sold at auction for a staggering £318,000.
The Act of Supreme Gallantry
The medal was awarded to Captain Reginald Haine for his exceptional leadership and courage during the Battle of Arras in 1917. Captain Haine led his men in six separate assaults against a formidable German stronghold armed with machine guns. The intense clash, which he later described in a letter home as a 'ding-dong battle', lasted for over 30 hours of continuous fighting.
Despite facing an enemy force of around 100 Germans, his unit eventually prevailed, capturing the position and taking 50 prisoners. In his own words, he paid tribute to his adversaries, saying, ‘By jove, they could fight – an awfully sporty crowd.’ The official Victoria Cross citation praised the officer’s ‘splendid personal example’ throughout the gruelling engagement.
A Lifetime of Service and a Final Sale
Captain Haine's military career was distinguished beyond this single event. He had previously been wounded in action in June 1915 and helped capture ‘The Mound’ at Beaucourt in November 1916. He miraculously survived an incident where two comrades either side of him were shot dead simultaneously. He later wrote to his parents, ‘I had a very good luck myself. One sniper dented my tin hat, and shrapnel also dented it, but I came through untouched.’
He was further awarded the Military Cross in 1919 for his actions during a hilltop attack in Dakka after joining the Indian Army. Demonstrating his enduring sense of duty, he also signed up for the Home Guard – the so-called ‘Dad’s Army’ – during the Second World War, despite being in his mid-50s.
After the war, Captain Haine, a chartered accountant from Lambeth in south London, lived to the age of 85, passing away in Midhurst, West Sussex, in 1982. He was married to his wife Dora for nearly 60 years and they had a daughter and three granddaughters. For years, his medals were a centrepiece of Lord Ashcroft’s VC Gallery at the Imperial War Museum until its recent closure. Following the collection's return, his family made the decision to sell it through the London auctioneers Spink & Son.
A Testament to Bravery
The hammer price for the Victoria Cross was £260,000, with the final total reaching £318,000 once buyer's fees were added. The sale included an extensive archive of Captain Haine's personal effects, such as two war diaries, almost 200 wartime photos, and seven of his detailed military maps.
A spokesman for Spink & Son commented on the result, stating, ‘We are thrilled at the outstanding result for the VC awarded to Captain Haine. He was a true hero of the First World War and this strong price is testament to his bravery.’ The sale ensures that the remarkable story of Captain Reginald Haine's valour will be preserved and remembered by a new generation.
