b. 18/12/1884 Cripplegate, London. d. 06/1945 1 Harbour Terrace, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 17/06/1919 Archangel, Russia.
Samuel J Haines
MBE AM
Samuel was born on 18th December 1884 in Cripplegate, London, the son of John and Angelina Haines. He joined the Royal Navy on 29th August 1901 serving on HMS Impregnable and HMS Vivid. He left the Navy in 1904, but later joined the Mercantile Marine, becoming a Junior Officer. He was also awarded the MBE in 1919 for his service in the Naval Transport Service in North Russia. He was also given the Order of St Stanislaus, Third Class with Swords. He received his AM from King George V at Buckingham Palace on 20th February 1920. He then left the service and became a Coastguard in Great Yarmouth.
AM CITATION:
On the 17th June last a fire occurred on a Russian motor-launch in the Harbour of Archangel, and a Riussian tug and a picket boat from an American Man-of-War proceeded to render assistance, Mr. Haines going in the tug. Just before the tug reached the launch an explosion took place on board the latter. Immediately the tug got alongside, the crew of the launch abandoned her. Mr. Haines at once went on board the launch and endeavoured to extinguish the fire, but being unable to do so, he ordered the other boats to lay off, while he went down into the magazine and brought up on deck a quantity of ammunition «nd a large quantity of gasoline and some rifles. Then calling the picket boat alongside, he passed these stores aboard her. While Mr. Haines was alone on board the launch, the cabin abaft the engine room and before the magazine took fire. The fire was ultimately got under, but not before the launch had been gutted. Mr. Haines displayed great gallantry in rendering the service, for had the fire reached the magazine an explosion would undoubtedly have occurred, and he would have had no chance of saving his life.
BURIAL LOCATION: GREAT YARMOUTH CEMETERY, GREAT YARMOUTH, NORFOLK.
SECTION W, GRAVE 249.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: PRIVATELY HELD. SOLD AT DNW IN DECEMBER 2007 FOR £7,000.
