Roland Charles Haig | |
|---|---|
 Roland Haig c.1924 | |
| Born | 1 February 1873 Kensington, London |
| Died | 28 February 1953 (aged 80) Drumnadrochit, Inverness-shire |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | British Army |
| Years of service | 1890–1891, 1894–1923 |
| Rank | Brigadier-General |
| Commands | 8th Division mounted troops III Corps Cyclist Battalion 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment 25th Infantry Brigade 24th Infantry Brigade 5th Cyclist Brigade No. 1 Sub-District, Midland District, Irish Command |
| Battles/wars | Second Boer War First World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order & 2 Bars Mentioned in dispatches x 5 |
| Relations | Douglas Haig (cousin) |
Brigadier-General Roland Charles Haig DSO & Two Bars (1 February 1873 – 28 February 1953) was a British Army officer who served in the Second Boer War and First World War. After a brief period of service in the militia, Haig joined the 16th Lancers in 1894. He served with them until 1899 when he joined the 7th Dragoon Guards, being promoted to captain in the following year. He served in the Orange Free State and Transvaal in the Second Boer War, including fighting at the Battle of Diamond Hill. In 1903 Haig retired from the army, joining the Imperial Yeomanry. He transferred to the Rifle Brigade in 1907, where he was promoted to major. Haig began his service in the First World War in the 1st Battalion of that regiment.
Haig became second in command of the 2nd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment in January 1915, moving in the same position to the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade in April. From May 1915 to May 1916 Haig commanded a division of mounted troops in 8th Division, before briefly commanding the III Corps Cyclist Battalion. In June he was given command of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, with which he fought in the Battle of the Somme and Battle of Passchendaele, in the latter of which he was wounded in late July 1917. Haig returned to service in October and in November was promoted to brigadier-general and given command of the 24th Infantry Brigade. He commanded the brigade during the German spring offensive. On 27 May 1918, during the Third Battle of the Aisne, Haig's headquarters was attacked and overrun by a German attack. He was heavily gassed but managed to escape. His injuries from the gas attack forced him to resign his command, and he saw no further service in the war. Haig retired from the army in 1923 and died at Drumnadrochit, Inverness-shire, at the age of 80.