Major Nicholas Haines, who died at the age of 78 on 12th March 2025, was through and through a Queen’s Own Hussar. His knowledge of regimental and military knowledge was a source of excellence in maintaining regimental standards.
Always immaculately turned out, his image ensured during his earlier service in the Regiment that young officers were “educated” in what was expected of them both on and off parade. He was asked by General Howard Dobson to be the military model for his armorial arms when he was appointed as a GCB.
Nicholas joined ‘A’ Squadron at that time in Berlin in 1966. He subsequently served in Aden, Hong Kong, Singapore and Germany as well as undertaking operational tours in Northern Ireland as a watch-keeper with Headquarters Northern Ireland, as Adjutant (when he spent some point overseeing one of the permanent check points between the Republic and Northern Ireland) and as B Squadron Leader in Belfast in 1979.
His attention to detail was exemplified by the success of the Royal visit which he coordinated of our Colonel in Chief to Bovington in 1975. He served as a staff officer in Berlin before attending the Staff College. As a Grade 2 staff officer he was on the staff at HQ UKLF running the headquarters’ operations room during the Falklands War.
A keen field sportsman, Nicholas was particularly fond of shooting and had no greater pride in stalking a stag that was allocated to him, without having to take the formal German stalking course, a rare honour, when we served in Germany. The trophy of the successful stalk remains a treasured possession in the Haines’ family home.
His calm personality in encouraging others of all ranks was exemplified by his handling of the circumstances when his squadron clerk was tragically killed on exercise. As the senior officer on the spot at the time he ensured that not only prompt assistance was administrated but that all involved were supported in the days following the incident.
Nicholas retired from the Army in 1984 following a posting as Regimental Second in Command during its term as the Royal Armoured Corps Training Regiment He enjoyed a varied career outside the Army working for Dege and Sons, our Regimental tailors, and as a financial consultant, before finding his forte as a battlefield tour guide mainly covering the First and Second World War sites.
His thorough research, often especially tailored for his specific audience, ensured that his tours were much sought out by a wide cross section of the military and public alike. He spent much of his early touring time taking recruits from the ATRs and Bovington which he greatly enjoyed and many have commented on. He ran several tours for the Regiment too including one for ‘A’ Squadron during his son, Charlie’s tenure as squadron leader.
Nicholas was a family man marrying Virginia in April 1971. They raised their two sons, Edward and Charlie, the latter followed Nicholas into the Regiment and is currently a Trustee of the Regimental Association.
