The Hales Newsletter
Motto: United Force is Stronger
NEW SERIES Spring 2001 Vol. 6. No. 1.
C O N T E N T
The Hales Chronicles – Second Edition
Membership
In Memoriam
Descendants of the Reverend William Hailes
Daniel Hailes
William Hailes
Harris William Hailes
Daniel Hailes (Daniel)
Daniel Hailes (Harris William)
Harris Cooke Hailes
Martin Hunter Hailes
Michael Cooke Hailes
Walter Carmichael Hailes
Robert Daniel Hailes
Adolphus Hailes
Harris W. Hailes
Walter Hailes
Walter Leslie Hailes
John Martin Hunter Hailes
Third Annual Scofield – Hales Reunion
This is on-line version of The HALES Newsletter. The HALES Newsletter is the Journal of the HALES Family. It is a quarterly publication of the HALES Family History Society and variant spellings, including HALES, HAILS, HAILES, HAYLS, and HAYLES. The information includes current events, historical sketches and genealogical information pertaining to the Hales family. The pictures can be viewed by clicking on words that are highlighted. It is published by Kenneth Glyn Hales, secretary of The Hales Genealogical Society from 1970 through 1981 and The Hales Family History Society since 1995.
The Hales Family History Society
Kenneth Glyn Hales, Founder (ken@hales.org)
5990 North Calle Kino
Tucson, Arizona 85704-1704
The intent of the HALES Family History Society is to document all HALES, HAILS, HAILES, HAYLS, and HAYLES families wherever they are found in all parts of the world. This documentation is found in the multi-volume The Hales Chronicles. This information is provided as a service to the Hales Family.
The Hales Chronicles contains the genealogical information published by the Hales Family History Society. This database can be found on the Hales web-page at www.hales.org and can be found in book form at The Family History Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Salt Lake City, Utah; The Library of Congress at Washington, D.C.; The Library of The Society of Genealogists at London, England; and the Centre for Kentish Studies at Maidstone, Kent, England. The Hales Chronicles is also found on-line. Look here to verify your family information and to search for your ancestors.
The Hales Newsletter is provided to the above cited repositories and the Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Allen County Public Library indexes our publication and provides articles through their Periodical Source Index (PERSI).
Printed copies of The Hales Newsletter are provided to members of The Hales Family History Society. If you desire to be come a member, refer to the membership section on our home-page. If you would like a printed copy of individual Hales Newsletters, reprints are available at a cost of $3.75 each.
The second edition of The Hales Chronicles has now been completed. I have printed and bound library copies of this 3 volume work. It is approximately 50% larger than the first edition. To contain the page count I have reduced the print size from 9 point to 8 point type. Even at that it contains 1,720 pages.
The cost of printing and binding this work was rather high – $123.35 for the 3 volume set (this computes to $41.12 for each finished book). There is no profit in this work. I do this as a service for the Hales Family.
Because of the cost I have decided to offer this work only in paperback binding at a cost of $75.
A diskette version of this work is also available for $20 postpaid in either WordPerfect or Word for Windows format. If you desire these diskettes please inform me which format you would prefer when you place your order.
This Hales Newsletter is the first issue of volume 6. Please make sure that your mailing label indicates when your subscription will expire. If it indicates anything earlier than volume 6 number 1 this will be the last issue that you get unless you renew your subscription. If you see that I have circled the date on your mailing label, it is time to renew your subscription. I do not send notices of past due subscriptions.
Marjorie Hopkins Larsen
(1929 – 2001)Marjorie "Marge" Hopkins Larsen, 71, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend, passed away in the comfort of her home on July 29, 2000. Her loving spirit and enthusiasm for life will be missed by all the many lives she touched, yet there is comfort in knowing that she has returned to the presence of the Lord and been reunited with her husband, Eugene Paul Larsen.
She was born on March 1, 1929 in Deseret, Utah, to Jeremiah Franklin and Ora Hales Hopkins.
She married Eugene on March 3, 1950, their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was active in her church, serving in all organizations with the spirit of true Christianity which was exemplified in all areas of her life. She served in many capacities in her life and truly left a legacy to her posterity.
Marge was the manager of the Timp Missionary Bookstore for nearly 30 years. She authored a book called Look and Learn Stories. She was noted for accomplishments with the Orem Chamber of Commerce, where she served as president in 1981. Since retiring she has remained active in serving the community, working as a volunteer at the Orem City Library and Orem Community Hospital. She was also involved with the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and in efforts to construct the museum in the Scera Theater. In her spare time she enjoyed oil painting, and recently took up watercolors. Marge was an avid reader, reading at least three books a week. She will be remembered for her unselfish love for others. She had a way of making those around her feel very loved and important. Most important was the service she quietly gave to family and friends.
Marge and Eugene were the parents of three children: Diane (Gary) Rozema, Holland, Michigan; Nan (Kirk) Johnson, Pleasant Grove, Utah; and Gregory Gene Larsen. She was preceded in death by her loving husband and her son, Gregory Gene.
Following memorial services held in the Lakeridge 8th Ward Chapel in Orem, interment was in the Orem City Cemetery, Orem, Utah.
Rae Lord Lance Hales (1942 – 2000)
Our dear mother, wife and grandmother lost her valiant battle with cancer on September 20, 2000. She is now free of pain.
Mom was born April 8, 1942 to Fred and Violet Lord who both preceded her in death.
Mom is survived by Roger Hales, Milt Lance, and sons: Tim (Christine); Randy (Lori); Mike (Carrie); Roger, Jr.; grandchildren: Holly, Jesse, Shaun, Tiffany, Corey, Lindsey, Melanie, Emily and Eric. Also close friends, Jay Foster and Barbara Jones.
Mom loved all her critters. She enjoyed camping and fishing, but most importantly she loved being with her family.
Private services were held for family and close friends at the Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary.
Vera Hales Thomas (1913 – 2000)
Vera Hales Thomas, age 87, passed away peacefully July 8, 2000 in Edgewood, New Mexico.
She was born June 8, 1913, in Mapleton, Utah, the daughter of Wilford Lockwood Hales and Dora Miranda Jensen Hales. Vera married Albert H. "Buck" Thomas June 7, 1931, in Castle Gate, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1957. Buck died July 2, 1974.
Vera is survived by her children: Marianne (Clair) Draper of Sandy, Utah; Buck Milford (Shanna) Thomas of Farmington, New Mexico; Homer Dee (Glenna) Thomas of Edgewood, New Mexico; 13 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters: Laura Hales Bramall; Elva Hales Perkins; Audrey Hales Miner; and Dorothy Hales (Arthur) Hansen; and brothers, Bill (Louise) Hales; and Keith (Ruth) Hales. She was preceded in death by one sister and three brothers.
Graveside services and burial was on Saturday, July 15, 2000 at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery, Spanish Fork, Utah.
This article is based on a sketch compiled by H. G. Warburton in 1940 and added to by W. L. Hailes. It was provided to me by Charles Hailes of The Knoll, Stockland, Honiton, Devon, England and is used by his permission.
(Editors note: Generally I find that the spelling is Hailes in Hampshire, England while it is Hales in Kent, England. The Family Groupings from this sketch can be found in The Hales Chronicles).
The immediate ancestors of William Hailes have not been definitely established. It may be significant that when his son Daniel joined H.M.S. Somerset at the age of thirteen, a certain Parker Hailes, then twenty-four years old, joined the same ship ten days later.
Parker was the son of an alderman of Rochester and his ancestry can be traced through the church register of Saint Nicholas, Rochester, Kent, England to Anthony Hales, who was christened at Lenham and through the latter’s grandfather, Humphrey Hales, York Herald, by means of the official reports of the three Visitations of Kent, to the early fourteenth century. Earlier records of the family, though not so authenticated, are to be found in the history of the county of Norfolk.
It may also be significant that William’s wife was Frances Wye. An alderman of Rochester named Richard Wye married a certain Frances Austin and they had a daughter named Frances Wye christened August 25, 1641. She was too early to be the person who married William, but it seems probable they belonged to the same family, so constituting a second link with the city of Rochester.
"I think every man would like to come of an ancient and honorable race," said the Colonel, in his honest way. "As you like your father to be an honorable man, why not your grandfather, and his ancestors before him? But if we can’t inherit a good name, at least we can do our best to leave one, you and I will both hold by."
– W. M. Thackery in "The Newcomes"
Described in Foster’s Alumni Oxonienses as the son of "Gul" of Portsmouth (presumably an abbreviation of the Latin for William), William Hailes was educated at Exeter College, Oxfordshire, matriculated on January 23, 1711, aged sixteen, and became a B.A. in 1715. (Editors note: Generally it is the fourth son that is destined to the University and the Church.)
By a warrant dated April 12, 1718 he was appointed chaplain of H.M.S. Montagu (Public Record Office) and on August 15 of that year was present at the battle fought by Admiral George Byng off Messina, sometimes referred to as the battle of Cape Passaro. His share of Spanish plunder enabled him to take the degree of M.A. in 1721.
By a warrant dated June 20, 1721 William was appointed chaplain of H.M.S. Windsor, then at Portsmouth, but ten days later, by a warrant dated June 30, he was posted from the Windsor to the Falkland which had, the previous day, been commissioned at Deptford for the West Indies and in fact sailed on October 30th (records of the National Maritime Museum).
There are strong indications that, at that time, William was a widower with two infant daughters and presumably it was on compassionate grounds that his posting to H.M.S. Falkland was canceled and he remained on the strength of the Windsor. The Windsor appears to have left Portsmouth in 1722 (there is a gap in the records of her movements for ten years from February, 1722 in the records at Greenwich) and by a warrant dated September 18, 1722 William was posted from the Windsor to H.M.S. Torbay.
William married by licence Frances Wye at Titchfield near Portsmouth, Hampshire, England September 6, 1722, but the parish register merely shows the names and does not record either that he was a priest or a widower and all efforts to trace the license have failed.
Except for the christenings of William’s two sons, Daniel on June 10, 1724 and William on September 2, 1726, the Titchfield church register contains no other Hailes entries.
Meanwhile, by a warrant dated March 23, 1726, William was posted from the Torbay to the H.M.S. Breda. The Breda sailed on April 9th, 1726 carrying Vice Admiral Francis Hosier who had been appointed Commander in Charge, West Indies. There was a great deal of sickness on board and the admiral died on August 23rd, 1726. The muster of the Breda shows William as having been "Discharged Dead" on September 7, 1726 at Jamaica. (Alumni Oxonienses says he beneficed in Jamaica, but this is evidently a mistake).
An entry in the register of the Cathedral Church of Old Portsmouth records the burial on March 11, 1726 of Ann, daughter of the Reverend William Hailes, and another entry, the burial on April 25, 1729 of William, son of Mrs. Frances Hailes.
In his will Daniel Hales, the surviving son, refers to having a sister married to William Cooley, esquire, of Portsmouth and it is these facts which lead to the conclusion William was a widower with two daughters when he married Frances. Frances then appears to have moved with her surviving son, Daniel, then aged five or six years old, to London.
This sketch has prompted the entry of this family grouping in the Hales Chronicles:
William HAILES
Born 1695 of Portsmouth and Titchfield, Hampshire, England the son of Gul (probably an abbreviation of the Latin for William) HAILES. Married (1) about 1718 ...
Children:
F- Ann HAILES; born about 1719 of Portsmouth, Hampshire, England; buried 11 NOV 1726.
F- ... HAILES; born about 1721; married about 1743 William COOLEY, esquire of Portsmouth, Hampshire, England (mentioned as sister in brother Daniel's will).
Married (2) 6 OCT 1722 Frances WYE at Titchfield, Hampshire, England. She was born about 1700 of Titchfield, Hampshire, England. William HAILES was "Discharged Dead" 7 SEP 1727 at Jamaica.
Children:
M- Daniel HAILES; christened 10 JUN 1724 at Titchfield, Hampshire, England; married 13 SEP 1750 Rebecca or Rebecka COWLEY.
M- William HAILES; christened 2 SEP 1726 at Titchfield, Hampshire, England; buried 25 APR 1729.
Daniel Hailes, son of Reverend William and Frances Wye Hailes, joined H.M.S. Somerset nominally as an able-bodied seaman on April 14, 1738 and it is noted in the muster books that he joined from London. He was then but fourteen years of age and it may be significant that a certain Parker Hailes, 24 years old joined the same ship ten days later also nominally as an able-bodied seaman.
Parker was the son of an alderman of Rochester and a direct descendant of Humphrey Hales, York Herald, brother of Sir James Hales whose memorial is in Canterbury Cathedral.
The Somerset was, at the time, moored in the Soil, off Queen borough, and Parker is recorded as having joined from "Black Stakes" which is part of the first reach on the Medway going up from Sheerness to Chatham then used as mooring grounds for ships in ordinary, that is to say in reserve.
Parker was discharged to Rochester on April 19, 1742.
Daniel was discharged from the Somerset on March 27, 1740 the cause being shown as "Preferment, Ipswich." He was appointed captain’s clerk on H.M.S. Ipswich on April 7, 1740 and, on April 6, 1742, became purser of H.M.S. Bellona, an appointment which has continued to hold throughout his service.
According to the Victoria County History of Surrey "the manor of Burstow Park passed to Daniel in 1765 from Walter Harris." Daniel named one of his sons Harris and another Walter. Presumably this Walter Harris was a relative of Daniel’s wife whose Christian name only is recorded. (Note: Daniel married Rebecca or Rebecka Cowley on September 13, 1750 at Westbourne, Sussex, England).
There are no Hailes entries in the registers of the neighboring churches which have been found though Walter Harris is still shown as "of Burstow Park" in the Bletchingley register when he died and was buried in 1771.
Daniel sold the manor (it was little more than a farm house) to Thomas Dickson in 1779. He died in 1780 and his will was proved on December 19, 1794 in London – where he appears to have died as the county is shown as Middlesex. The will is in Somerset House.
William Hailes, son of Reverend William and Frances Wye Hailes, was christened at Titchfield near Portsmouth, Hampshire, and was buried at Saint Thomas, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England on April 25, 1729. As he is shown as the son of Mrs. Frances Hailes it is clear that information of his father’s death had been received.
Harris William Hailes, grandson of Reverend William and Frances Wye Hailes and son of Daniel and Rebecca or Rebecka Cowley Hailes, was commissioned a lieutenant of the Northern Battalion of Militia on May 19, 1776 in Lincolnshire. In the following year when nearly twenty-five years of age he was appointed an ensign by purchase in the 38th Regiment and joined the depot of that regiment at Chatham in April.
He joined his regiment at New York in British North America in June 1778 and the following month went with it to Rhode Island where he was present with the army under Sir Robert Pigott which was besieged there by French and Americans.
Promoted by purchase in September 1779 he joined the 1st Battalion British Grenadiers with whom he embarked in December as part of the army under General Clinton and was present at the siege and taking of Charlestown, South Carolina. He served with the Grenadier Battalions until the fall of 1782.
In November of 1782 he embarked for Halifax, Nova Scotia, having been appointed adjutant to a battalion of 900 British recruits. In December 1784 Harris was appointed, by the King’s commission, Fort Major of New Brunswick (Royal Military Calendar). He lived at Saint John where he shared a house with Ward Chipman, later to become Solicitor-General to New Brunswick. A Colonel Edward Winslow stayed with them whenever his duties took him to New Brunswick with the three being known as "the trio" (The Winslow Papers published under the auspices of the New Brunswick Historical Society).
Winslow and Chipman were refugees from Massachusetts who had been evacuated from Boston. Between them they were primarily responsible for establishing the loyalist colony in New Brunswick, much about both is contained in an historical novel Oliver Wiswell by K. Roberts.
On November 22nd, 1787 Harris married a granddaughter of Judge Edward Winslow and niece of the colonel by the name of Sarah Miller, a daughter of Colonel Stephen Miller, then seventeen years old. A son Daniel Hailes was born July 1st, 1789, but Sarah died, presumably in childbirth.
Two years later Harris married on April 27, 1791 Isabella the daughter of Samuel Cooke, D.D., who had served with the British Army as a chaplain, and his wife, formerly Graham Kearney of Philadelphia.
In 1793 Harris was appointed acting major of brigade to the forces in New Brunswick under the command of Brigadier General Carleton. He was promoted to captain in the 38th Regiment in December 1794 but was placed on half-pay on the 106th Regiment in June 1797 receiving at the same time the King’s commission as brigade-major to the forces in New Brunswick.
On April 7th, 1804 he was placed on full pay as a captain in the New Brunswick Fencibles. He received the brevet of major in the army on January 1st, 1805 and of lieutenant-colonel on January 1st, 1812. (This is according to the Royal Military Calendar. Volume 75 of the Gentlesmen’s Magazine says he was promoted lieutenant-colonel in the army June 1805 and says he was "of the Nova Scotia Fencibles").
Harris Hailes foresaw the war of 1812 as Winslow wrote on October 1st, 1807 "the good major (Hailes) is rather in a funk at present; among the profusion of honors which have been heaped upon him in this country, he is adjutant general of the militia. And there is some reason to apprehend that the Americans may be inclined to walk over the ideal line which divides us and interrupt our present tranquility, such an event would produce scenes of great activity and the Major anticipates ‘em with his usual zeal and energy. Unluckily for the country some of our present rulers do not discover the same disposition."
Harris held land in the county of York, New Brunswick. He became a member of the Governor’s executive council and was President and Commander-in-Chief to administer the government on New Brunswick in 1816-1817. Subsequently he removed to Fredericton.
A letter from Winslow to his son, about to visit England, dated October 6, 1807 after referring to a Colonel Lutwyche who lived in Phillimore Place contains the following:
Next door to Colonel Lutwyche lives a family to whom I am and ever shall be indebted for the most friendly treatment in sickness and health. Mrs. Weltden will give you an opportunity of seeing Mr. and Mrs. Hailes – and you must remember me to them in the most affectionate manner – and also to their son, Mr. Jo. Hailes for whom I’ve a great regard.
The contemporary London directories show that a William Hales lived at Number 5 and an Edward Luthwidge at Number 6, Upper Phillimore Place, Kensington. This appears to be a member of the Deptford branch of the Hales family named William who had a son named Joseph and who, like Parker, previously mentioned in connection with Daniel, was a descendant of Humphrey the York Herald. He may have been responsible for the introduction of Harris to Winslow.
Harris Hailes died December 31st, 1819 leaving his property to his widow for life and then to be divided among his children. Although Harris is reported to have owned considerable landed property both in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia this may not have been of great value at the time or may have been disposed of by his widow who survived her children. Their grandchildren received only a small inheritance.
Extracts from letters of Harris William Hailes to Edward Winslow. (Note: the only two known letters refer mainly to local social matters. "The Prince" referred to in the extracts was the Duke of Kent who later became the father of Queen Victoria.)
Fredericton
October 6, 1789
The August Packet is arrived, and what is more extraordinary no news of Bonaparte or Nelson. The rebellion in Ireland is now "as a tale of other days." The Prince goes to England this fall for his health. Dr. North has been sent for from Quebec to be consulted, and Brenton writes me word, it is his opinion he must go to Bath for the benefit of the waters. Lyman has been here and returned to Halifax. His Royal Highness’ illness has proceeded from a fall from his horse.
Halifax
July 13, 1800
I arrived here on Friday evening from Windsor, and yesterday had a most gracious reception and audience from His Royal Highness. The sentences of the Brevet Lieutenant Colonel and Captain Clinch I suppose you will receive officially by this post, they are, as I suppose they would be, both acquitted. The Duke was pleased to say he hoped this would be the last time I would be troubled on such business, and that he thought the best method of putting an end to such troublesome litigation was to bring the parties to this province. Colonel Robinson and myself are to have the honor of dining with him (the Duke of Kent) tomorrow.
... The duke asked if Genl. Carleton was going home to England, my answer was of course I did not know, nor do I find anything is known here respecting our Government, and since it has now been so long since anything has been said on the subject, I hope and trust it will all blow over. ...
If I had your talent I could describe a great deal, but as it is it must remain until we meet.
Daniel Hailes, grandson of Reverend William and Frances Wye Hailes and second son of Daniel and Rebecca or Rebecka Cowley Hailes, was christened April 7, 1754 at Portsmouth, Hertfordshire, England.
Daniel appears to have become private secretary to the Duke of Dorset at Knole House, Sevenoaks, in which appointment he became known to Lord Carmarthen, foreign secretary.
When the Duke was appointed ambassador to the court of Versailles in 1783, Daniel was appointed the same day secretary to the embassy. As the duke seldom wrote letters fit to be shown to the king, Daniel, at Carmarthen’s request, corresponded directly with the foreign secretary. Knowledge of this seems to have come to the duke who, without stating his reason, showed that he had taken offence (History of the Sackville Family). He said publicly that Daniel was "a man of no family" (Farrington Diary).
As a result Daniel wrote to Carmarthen terminating their correspondence after which the duke appears again to have taken Daniel into favor.
During the duke’s absence Daniel acted as ambassador and on May 20, 1784 he, as his Majesty’s plenipotentiary, signed a piece treaty with the Dutch (Volume 54 of Gentlemen’s Magazine).
Daniel was appointed envoy extraordinary and minster plenipotentiary successively to the court of Warsaw in 1788, Copenhagen in 1791 and Stockholm in 1795.
He retired in 1801 with a pension of £1000 a year and lived in Portugal Street in the parish of Saint George, Hanover Square, London, where he died unmarried on March 27, 1835, aged 85. His will was proved on April 4th of that year in the prerogative court of Canterbury and is in Somerset House. Apart from a memento to his friend Sir Robert Campbell of the East India Directorate he left everything to his nephew Harris Cooke Hailes.
Daniel Hailes, was the son of Harris William Hailes, by his first wife, the granddaughter of Edward Winslow.
He was sent from Canada to England in the year 1804 when fifteen years of age with a view to getting the king’s commission. He presumably stayed for a time with his uncle Daniel in Portugal Street while arrangements were being made for him to be sent to the Royal Military College.
Probably at that time he also visited his father’s London agent who was William Frazer Price of 34 Craven Street, afterwards Price and Boustead. But a letter from Carleston, then lieutenant-governor of Lower Canada, to Edward Winslow dated December 1, 1804 contains the sentence, "You know Daniel Hailes is at Deptford." At that time the Royal Military College was at Great Marlow being moved to Sandhurst at a later date.
It seems probable that he was escorted to Great Marlow from Deptford by Joseph Hales of the Deptford family as Joseph, who was a bachelor, is shown in Volume 14 of Archaeologia Cantiana as having settled at Great Marlow. This Joseph was a brother of Winslow’s friend William Hales (or Hailes) of Phillimore Place.
Daniel was killed in a bolster fight on March 27, 1805 and is buried just inside the churchyard of Great Marlow.
Harris Cooke Hailes, the eldest son of Harris William Hailes by his second wife, Isabella Cooke, is shown in the Army List of 1812 under the name Harris Hailes as having been a lieutenant in the 41st Foot since April 19, 1810. The 41st Foot was one of the four regular regiments then stationed in Canada and so presumably his commission as lieutenant was purchased in that country while he was only sixteen years of age.
He was taken prisoner by the Americans on April 23, 1813 in the action on the Miami (or Maumee) river which flows into the southwest corner of Lake Erie (dispatch of May 14, 1813 in London Gazette published Volume 83 of Gentleman’s Magazine).
He was exchanged within a few days (The Canadian War of 1812 by Lucas), and survived the disaster when most of his regiment was cut up at Moraviantown, north of the lake, in October.
He was slightly wounded on August 15, 1814 at Snake Hill on the left bank of Niagara River near where it leaves Lake Erie (dispatch of August 15, 1814 also published in Volume 83 of Gentleman’s Magazine).
He eventually received command of the 28th Foot on October 10, 1832, retiring on February 13, 1835 having been made a knight of the order of the Guelphs. This being a Hanoverian order did not carry an English title and was awarded by the king in his capacity as king of Hanover.
Harris married in the year 1823 Jane Fotheringham Campbell the daughter of his uncle Daniel’s friend, Sir Robert Campbell, a director of the Honorable East India Company.
Harris was said by one of his nieces to have been extravagant, but that may not have been great. He did not inherit that of his father as his mother outlived him, so he may never have owned more than sufficient money to maintain his position. He died on March 24, 1844, his widow surviving him by twelve years.
Martin Hunter "Hunter" Hales, son of Harris William Hailes by his wife Isabella Cooke, was born at Fredericton, New Brunswick, on January 12, 1810 and appears to have been named after Colonel (later General) Martin Hunter, who then commanded the local regiment of Fencibles.
Presumably through the influence of Sir Robert Campbell, Hunter was given a commission in the service of the Honorable East India Company and joined the 10th Bengal Cavalry.
He joined his regiment at Meerut in 1825 and it was probably about the year 1836 that he married Catherine the third daughter of Captain Hugh Bowen of the 41st Regiment.
Captain Bowen, is described as of Bally Adams Castle, Queen’s County, though after he retired he seems to have settled at Belturbet, County Cavan. He is believed to have been present at the battle of Waterloo and his daughter Catherine was born two years later in 1817.
Hunter served in the first Afghan War (1838-1842) and took a prominent part in the battle of Maharajpur during the brief Gwalier campaign of 1843.
In the year 1846 he was given command of the remount depot at Karnal, but from the following year he steadily lost weight being more than thirteen and a half stone at the beginning of that year and only just over ten stone on May 1st, 1850 when he was given sick leave.
His leave which he spent at Mussoorie, lasted unto November 15th, but the pine-laden air of the Himalayas was not sufficient to provide a cure and Hunter was invalided to England.
As he was journeying from Karnal to Calcutta on board a Ganges vessel towards the end of the year 1850, Martin Hunter Hailes died at Berhampur where he was buried. His widow then took her children to Belturbet but her father died at the age of 87 in 1863 and either then or earlier Catherine moved to Cheltenham where she died on December 25,1891.
Martin Hunter Hailes letter to Catherine Hailes.
Camp Goora
December 30, 1843
Thank God my best beloved darling I am safe after one of the bloodiest days on record without a single scratch although my men were falling momentarily around me.
We yesterday morning marched from Hingoora and found the Maharatta Army drawn up in a very good position with an immense number of guns, when we came in sight. The columns were placed in position, our Brigade of Cavalry to attack the enemy’s right.
Strange to say after the orders issued at Agra by Sir H. Gough regarding ladies not being allowed to proceed with the army, no less than five of them, his own wife at the head, came to our position on elephants, which the moment the enemy saw them they opened their heavy guns upon them luckily without doing mischief – upon this hint they were sent to the rear behind the village.
They then got the range of our brigade and commenced pouring the round shot into us. At this time only a few horses were knocked over.
We were then made to change our position more to our left and got under a worse fire which knocked over several of our men and among the number poor young Shaw, the cannon shot entering his horse’s side behind his thigh going through the horse and smashing his other leg which was taken off by the Doctors on the field. He is, I am happy to say, getting on quite well and bore his fate nobly. I in my life never saw such true courage as his.
After poor Shaw’s fate we were ordered to charge the enemy’s guns and most nobly was it done by both officers and men of the 10th Cavy., took six of them which are now in camp. I myself was first up at the largest and cut down one of the gunners at the gun.
We then passed on leaving a party to take care of our trophies and reformed our men which as we were doing a large party of the enemy’s horse appeared in our front and threatened to charge us. We ordered the charge against them and nobly our men followed us. We overthrew and dispersed them taking two standards. I myself had a personal conflict with a splendid Maharatta spearman. He rode at me with his spear in rest which I parried with my sword and then passed it through his body when the unfortunate fellow fell over his saddle a dead man.
The casualties amongst the officers has been dreadful. All our people are safe. McUist(?) was slightly wounded in the hand and Simeon(?) grazed on the temple by a pistol ball. Crommaling, 1st Cavy. was wounded in the leg by a cannon shot and it is expected he will lose it. General Churchill, Colonel Sanders and Captain Stuart Killed. Captain Somerset wounded four times.
The 40th Foot are most dreadful mangled and their three senior officers were knocked down one after the other. Coddington is one of them. I do not believe they are very severely wounded. Our men took two standards. The whole of the Cavy. work was chalked out for the 16th Lancers and their brigade and the Body Guard was taken away from us to enable them to distinguish themselves with the 3rd Brigade. So we were to have done nothing but stand to be shot at.
However, as great good luck would have it the enemy changed position during the night which gave us the good ground to work on and the Lancer Brigade the (difficult) so they had to stand to be shot at without a charge and we had all the brilliant work. They are dreadfully sore about it that the black cavalry should have had all the (chance?).
My men behaved nobly and fought with me like lions. They continually said to me that their own lives they would sacrifice to save mine.
We hear today that General Gaugh has taken Gwalior. 2 divisions and the Lancer Brigade of Cavy. have gone on the Gwalior and they say will have to fight again today. One division of infantry and our Brigade of Cavy. remain here to protect the hospitals as they think that we have done enough for our fame.
So think I love dearest sweetest love. How I should like to be with you all now, if it was only for an hour, that I might fold you to my heart with our dear little ones. I was riding a troop horse dearest, which was twice wounded under me – once by a sword and the other by a shot, but not very seriously.
Thank God again I say for all his mercies towards me! Such a day I never wish to see again although in the heat of action one thinks of nothing but work and certainly when I saw poor fellows falling all around me my feelings were to avenge their fall.
You my precious angel were the bright star of my darkness. Often did I press the locket to my heart and offer up a prayer for those I hold so dear.
I am going dearest with this to put it into the Post myself to make sure of its going. I must now conclude this darling love.
Should I have nothing to do tomorrow I will write again to let you know how things go on. I fancy we shall have nothing more serious to do. The ladies have come into the camp here.
God bless and protect your sweet precious love and our dear children is the heartfelt prayer of your devotedly attached and madly adoring husband.
Hunter
Thousands and thousands of kisses to you all my precious loves.
Michael Cooke Hailes, son of Harris William Hailes and Isabella Cooke, was
born August 4th, 1796 and nothing more is definitely known about him.
A manuscript copy of rather immature poems written by a member of the family which was in possession of Harris Warburton (grandson of Harris Cooke Hailes) contains internal evidence that the writer knew the fourth Duke of Dorset well, presumably through his uncle Daniel (one is an obituary to the duke who succeeded to the title as a child and was killed in the hunting field in 1815 at the age of 21), and that he stayed as a guest in such great houses as Hurstmonceaux. From the date these were probably written by Michael and may therefore, like his uncle, have been given employment by the Sackville family. He appears to have died in the West Indies as in the family bible the date April 27th, 1822 and mention of the West Indies are the only legible references to him and presumably apply to his death.
Walter Carmichael Hailes, son of Harris William Hailes and Isabella Cooke, joined the 28th Foot as an ensign in 1831. His eldest brother was then with the regiment of which he received command in the following year, but in 1835 not only did his brother retire in February 13, but his uncle Daniel died on March 27th. Walter was still an ensign and presumably could not afford to purchase promotion. He retired in 1836 and, no doubt helped by Sir Robert Campbell, obtained a commission in the East India Company’s service, joining the 2nd Regiment of Bombay Native Cavalry.
Walter died at Mhow on July 30, 1840, aged 26 years, where a tablet let into the south wall of the chancel of the church was inscribed "He was beloved and regretted by his corps and friends and by none more so than his inflicted brothers, Lieutenant Colonel Hailes, late commanding His Majesty’s 28th Regiment and Captain M. Hunter Hailes, 10th Bengal Cavalry, who dearly and sincerely loved him and by whom this tablet is placed."
Robert Daniel Hailes, the eldest son of Harris Cooke Hailes and Jane Campbell, was born in 1826. Nothing is known of him except that he died at Corfu.
Adolphus Hailes, the second son of Harris Cooke Hailes and Jane Campbell, was born about 1828 and presumably died in childhood.
Harris W. Hailes, the third son of Harris Cooke Hailes and Jane Campbell, served in the 44th Bengal Native Infantry. He married a Miss Hildebrand and had a daughter named Mary. He died at Calcutta on June 18, 1859 (Gentleman’s Magazine) and it is believed his wife and child were already dead owing to their sufferings during the Indian Mutiny.
The old family bible which had been in his possession was found in a Dak Bungalow (Rest House) many years later and was recovered by the wife of Captain (later Major-General) A. D. Anderson who had been, before her marriage, Grace Hailes, a daughter of Martin Hunter Hailes. The ink was yellow and faded and mostly illegible, but the first entry was "Daniel Hailes of Titchfield, Hampshire, and Burstow Park, Surrey."
Walter Hailes, the only son of Martin Hunter Hailes and Catherine Bowen, was born on January 17, 1845. His grandmother, Isabella Cooke, the second wife of Harris William Hailes, died during his youth and his share of the property left by his grandfather was sufficient to enable him to be sent to Sandhurst.
He was commissioned as an ensign without purchase on October 16, 1863 and posted to the 58th Foot, but without having joined that regiment was transferred to the 97th Foot in India. He sailed from London on January 11, 1864 and, the sea journey round the Cape taking over three months, arrived at Calcutta on April 17, 1864 and joined his regiment at Saugor in Central India on May 8th.
After serving with that regiment both in India and at Portsmouth, he exchanged to the 2/16th, joined the depot at Colchester and completed the Hythe musketry course before again sailing to India from Marseilles. Transferring to the Indian Staff Corps and promoted lieutenant he served successively with the 2nd, 18th, 19th, and 37th Bengal Native Infantry.
He had leave to England from March 26, 1874 to November 11, 1875 during which he married Janet Emily Thomson on June 3, 1875 at Saint Luke’s Church, Cheltenham. She was the daughter of George Thomson of Ellingham House, Cheltenham.
He was promoted to captain with effect from October 16, 1875. He was posted from the 37th Native Infantry to the Quarter-master General’s department on the Bengal Establishment on March 13, 1880. He had previously been attached to that department and served with it at Peshawar from September 14, 1879 until March 26, 1881. This was the period of the second Afghan War and Walter was mentioned in despatches for good work done during the return of troops from Kabul. He was also brought to the special notice of the Commander-in-Chief and received an expression of satisfaction with his services from the Government of India. He was also awarded the medal for the Afghan War, 1879-1880.
Walter served with the Quarter-master General’s branch of the staff at various stations, being promoted major on October 16, 1883 until February 19, 1886 when he was posted to the 4th Bengal Infantry as officiating second-in-command. The Burmese War had commenced on November 10, 1885 and the 4th Bengal Infantry were near the Burmese frontier at Cachar (now known as Silchar) where he joined on March 9th. A week later he was sent with a small detachment of the regiment to Manipur (now Imphal), the capital of an independent state, where he was appointed officiating political agent in addition to his regimental duties.
He remained at Manipur until April 21st when, having handed over his political duties, he marched with his detachment to Tamu in Upper Burma where he was appointed officiating Deputy Commissioner of the Chindwin district pending the arrival of a permanent incumbent.
On May 12th, leaving half his detachment at Tamu under his only subaltern, he escorted the newly arrived deputy commissioner towards Kendat on the Chindwin river and that night was treacherously attacked by a large gang of dacoits at the village of Puntha. The newly appointed deputy commissioner was killed and the next day he made a fighting withdrawal to Tamu. He received an expression of approval by the Commander-in-Chief for his conduct and was mentioned in despatches (Gazette of India, June 17, 1887) being described as "an able officer."
On June 19th he was seriously wounded during a reconnaissance in force of a very strongly fortified and garrisoned stockade. He received the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel with effect from July 1, 1887 (London Gazette, November 25, 1887) and the medal and clasp for the campaign.
After sick leave in England he rejoined the 4th Bengal Infantry as officiating commandant at Jhansi on November 3, 1888 and, having been promoted to substantive lieutenant colonel with effect from October 10, 1889 was transferred to the 6th Bengal Light Infantry at Cawnpore on March 14, 1890 and appointed commandant of that regiment on February 23, 1891. During his command he spent the period from May 25, 1890 to September 11th on furlough at Lausanne in Switzerland.
Walter Hailes then held various staff appointments being promoted brevet colonel on August 17, 1895. He held the officiating rank of brigadier-general while commanding Allahabed district from April 1, 1901 until January 17, 1902 and retired with effect from February 28, 1902. He died at Southampton on January 16, 1915.
Extracts of Walter Hailes letters to Janet Hailes. (Note: The towns named in the letters Cachar and Manipur are now better known as Silchar and Imphal. Tamu is some 25 miles west of the Chindwin river, Kendat is on the east bank of the river approximately forty miles downstream – not allowing for bends in the river. Walter Hailes had been appointed Deputy Commissioner in addition to his regimental duties presumably in order to have judicial power over the civil population and had been sent with a detachment of the 4th Bengal Infantry forward from Imphal to Tamu.)
April 30, 1886
Tamu is a small town inhabited by Shans and Chins and ruled by an official rejoicing in the euphonious title of "Myothoongee." The houses are huts raised about 4 feet off the ground on piles – the people are very ugly and of unclean habits – I am called the big "Bo" as Captain and hold a durbar every evening. Burmans squat round on the ground smoking cigarettes or cheroots and are most independent in manner. The people in this valley are quite quiet and I hear contented with the change in rulers. The town is situated in the middle of a big forest full of game – it is strongly stockaded as are nearly all of the villages.
I live in a "Phoongye" house. The Phoongyes are Burmese priests and their houses are much superior in construction. The walls are, however, only matting on two sides and open on the others – airy when there is any air, but fearfully hot when there is none which latter phase is the most frequent.
I am very well but am sorry to say I have 30 men sick from fever and dysentery, owing chiefly to bad and insufficient food. The men can get nothing but rice as they won’t eat fowls and eggs which we can get and thrive upon.
I am waiting anxiously for Major Trotter’s arrival here; he has been given civil charge of the Upper Chindwin and is to settle where troops are required. It is just possible we may return to Cachar, as I do not think were are required here. I shall probably go on with him to Kendat on reconnaissance duty.
... There are three Europeans in all in Tamu, viz. Myself, my subaltern, a Lieut. Beaver full of talk, and a Mr. Morgan, a very nice fellow, one of the men of the Bombay Burma Trading Corporation who was rescued by Col. Johnstone after having undergone some very unpleasant experiences in confinement at Kendat. ...
May 7, 1886
There has been no heat to speak of yet and I am pleasantly surprised at the climate. The nights are cold and pleasant.
There is a great deal of fever and dysentery amongst the men, but it is due more to bad food, or rather food they are unaccustomed to, as they have to eat rice instead of atta (flour).
... Today Major Trotter is expected to arrive. We did expect him yesterday, but he was detained owing to heavy rain ...
I received intelligence that Kendat was to be occupied on the 5th of May by Col. Toker and the 18th Bengal Infantry. Consequentially, Trotter and Mr. Morgan go on there, whether our detachment stays here or not I do not yet know, but I should think it will very probably remain, as although in this valley everything is very quiet, yet on the other side of the river Chindwin there are a good many small bands of dacoits wandering about and probably our presence here keeps them from coming this side. ...
(Written later)
Major Trotter, the new Deputy Commissioner, has arrived here, and so now I know something of my movements. I leave this with him in three or four days for Kendat on the Chindwin, taking 100 sepoys as escort and return immediately after to Manipur where I remain until September or October. ... Kendat is 6 days from here. ...
May 21, 1886
I suppose you have all received a considerable scare by the publication in the papers of my affair at "Puntha."
It was a devil of a business. We were most thoroughly surprised, and how we all got off I do not know. We marched from here on the 11th, Major Trotter the deputy commissioner having heard that all was perfectly quiet, and the head men of all the villages had come in here and pretended to have submitted. With perfect confidence we allowed the villagers to make sheds all round the Phoongye house (a priest’s dwelling place) at Puntha for the sepoys, Major Trotter and myself being accommodated in the Phoongye house. All our baggage was carried by coolies, and I had luckily obtained 12 elephants to carry any men that might be sick or have to fall out. No tents were taken. The Head Priest or Gamoke of this place, treacherous beast, whom I have since tried and sentenced to be shot, led the way, knowing all about the plot. Nothing was to be seen of any armed men. On the evening of the eleventh the villagers supplied food etc. for the sepoys and we visited the village talking to the people, the women and children also being there. I turned in at 10:30 p.m. o’clock after visiting my sentries.
... (Note: A rough plan follows, it shows the Phoongye House standing in a paddy field of about 400 yards square and 75 yards north of the stockaded village, the whole being surrounded by thick forest. Mr. Morgan and his personnel, who appear not to have been attacked, were about half way between the Phoongye House and the village. To the southwest of the Phoongye House and northwest of the stockade were a number of pagodas. Southeast of the stockaded village, and separate from it, was the Naga Stockade.) ...
Besides Major Trotter and myself, we were accompanied by Mr. Morgan, whom I have previously mentioned to you and Mr. Brelto, a half-caste assistant of his. They slept in a little Zayat or travelers rest house between us and the village. We were only 75 yards from the stockade.
All was perfectly quiet till 3 a.m. when the sentry who I had posted on the southeast (southwest?) Corner saw a lot of armed men in among the pagodas only 20 yards from us. He at once challenged and fired. Immediately the enemy fired a volley at the sleeping sepoys and into the Phoongye House, and killed two men dead, wounding one or two others. Our fellows were soon on the alert and so was Major Trotter and myself.
The black guards had fired a small cannon just opposite the entrance for our benefit, and as I ran out to join my men gave me a salute of small bullets, which however didn’t do any damage. My mosquito curtains suffered in the first discharge. On going below I saw the state of affairs was very serious, and that it was absolutely necessary to turn the enemy out of the pagodas, where there were some hundred and fifty of them, picking my men off with comparative safety. I got together about 12 sepoys (it was very dark) and with them and a Native officer, Jemadar Kedar Ditchit, who behaved splendidly, I charged slap in amongst them, and they bolted like hares, not before however they had shot the man on my right and left. It was impossible to get into the village which was very strongly stockaded, so I told the men to try and set fire to it.
It was now beginning to get light and Major Trotter, who had been assisting my men at the Phoongye House, came out and very foolishly stood out straight in front of the stockade and took a shot at the men serving the gun. He was immediately bowled over being shot through the knee.
About 6:30 a.m. two of my sepoys (who I have recommended for the Order of Merit) crept close to the stockade, and seeing a small opening at once jumped in, shot down a couple of gunners and set fire to a small hut. On seeing this the dacoits thinking all the sepoys had got in began to bolt and I seeing that they were doing so, made a rush for the gate followed by some 30 sepoys. Some 15 of the enemy were killed in the village, the flames however spread rapidly and we had to clear out. I saw that a lot of the enemy had gone into the Naga stockade, so seeing our men’s blood was up, I ordered a charge on it, and it was carried and burnt.
In the meanwhile the other 3 sides of the Phoongye House were having a hot time of it. The dacoits, whom I have since heard were over 800 had been keeping up a fire on it and some damage had been done. My men were as you may suppose tired, so I told them to eat anything if they had it and pull themselves together a bit, lying down to be protected from bullets.
At 10 o’clock the firing became unpleasantly hot so I determined to charge. I ordered a small party to go in each of the enemy’s flanks, about 12 men each and as they did this I led all the remainder right straight at them – such yells you have never heard in your life and you never saw anyone run like the enemy.
We pursued for about two hours and I burnt a small village in which they had been. I was rather done and so were the men so I sounded the recall. We went back to the Phoongye House and I began to take measures to try to get back to Tamu, which I heard was to be attacked, where I had left Lieut. Beavers with 100 men of whom some 60 were ill.
The difficulty was transport. All our coolies had bolted and most of the elephants. I had eleven badly wounded men to carry to say nothing of bedding, stores, etc. 5 elephants were found, and with the help of Mr. Morgan and his Burmese mahouts whose elephants had bolted, some buffaloes were caught. But while this was doing, the enemy had collected together again and I heard were in strong force in a village about a mile to the south. So fearing they were going to annoy our retreat, I determined to attack, leaving Mr. Morgan and Mr. Brelto to arrange for buffaloes etc.
Off we went, found a big nulla with a steep bank just in front of the village line with them. The order to charge was given, the beggars ran again pell mell into the village, the sepoys close on their heels. No hope of catching them, so after burning the village and stockade also I returned to Puntha, which we left at 4 p.m. having to abandon a considerable amount of things.
On the return march we found the village of Mahman occupied and were fired upon. At it we went, another bolt and another blaze, then we went on. Two of our carts broke down but by crowding up the wounded managed to reach Tamu at 10 p.m.
May 27, 1886
I sent out another little expedition on Monday the 24th to a village called Haichi where I heard some dacoits were, under Lieut. Beaver. He got 3 prisoners but ought to have got more as the surprise was complete.
... (Later) May 28th. Just heard that a Captain Stevens with 112 Gurkhas of the 42nd Assam Infantry have been dispatched to Tamu for me to make use of – they cannot get here before 3rd or 4th June, but I shall be able to have a slap at the dacoits and clear the valley with them. No other news except that my wounded had arrive at Manipur.
(Note: The remainder of the letters are all written with an indelible pencil. The writer had to lie on his back and was forbidden to turn over for fear of hemorrhage. He was not allowed to write more than one letter a week.)
Hanipur
June 29, 1886
My darling Wife.
You will probably after having got the telegram to say I was severely wounded have surmised that I should have returned to this place and here I am in very comfortable quarters. Unfortunately I missed writing the last mail so no doubt you will be very anxious about me. There was nobody to write for me, or I should have asked someone to do it. There is no cause for anxiety, my wound is healing up well.
Now to tell you all about it. On the 17th I sent out a small party of Gurkhas to reconnoiter the two stockades which had been occupied by the enemy for a long time, but I had heard some intention of them being probably abandoned. The Gurkhas found them both empty and said the enemy had evidently left about 2 days before. I determined therefore to move out on the 18th and destroy them both. Unfortunately I was prevented owing to the elephants required for the purpose not arriving and was obliged to postpone it till the 19th.
The dacoits got wind of this somehow, reassembled secretly, and re-occupied the first stockade (3 miles from Tamu) and there we met them on the morning of the 19th at 5 a.m. I had only 140 men and 2 guns and there were 1500 them with 6 guns well fortified.
The fighting was at very close quarters, but there was no getting into the stockade although the Gurkhas went right up and tried to hack it down with their kookeries – this I saw would only lead to unnecessary slaughter of my men so gave the order to withdraw after 5 hours fighting.
I was watching to see my orders were obeyed without confusion as I thought from a fairly safe place about 50 yards off, when I was hit in the left leg between the knee and thigh and dropped.
The fighting ceased about then and I was carried back to Tamu. Very few, in fact only 3 of our men were hit, none killed. It luckily happened there were some good coolies with us that day, so Captain Stevens sent me off the next morning in a dhoolie to Manipur, there being no doctor at Tamu, under charge of a hospital assistant – where after experiencing considerable agony I arrived on the 23rd.
Here I found 2 doctors – one on the point of starting for Tamu. They at once put me under chloroform and set to work to extract the bullet. They only got out half, as the bullet appears to have struck the bone full, and broke across it, one piece traveling one side and one the other. It was very lucky the bone was not broken so I shall be all right soon. The wound is doing very well, and so am I, except that I do not like being always in one position. ...
Your loving husband
Walter
Manipur
July 14, 1886
... Lieut. Beaver who was with me at Tamu has come back very bad with fever. Govt. have at last decided to vacate Tamu and orders have been sent to retire. ... Poor Major Trotter died three days ago he had had a very bad time, his knee shot completely away – mortification set in and he succumbed. ...
Manipur
July 22, 1886
Had a few lines from Sophie yesterday written on the 2nd of July which shows what an out of the way place we are in. She says the Viceroy, Chief and all the big wigs have been very nice about me. In fact the Viceroy telegraphed to Col. Eliot here to telegraph to him daily how I was getting on, evidently for Sophie’s sake. (Note: Sophie was the youngest of the writer’s four sisters. She was married to Harry Langtry who, at that time, commanded the VIII Hussars and was in Simla for the hot weather). Of the three of us who formed the original 1st at Tamu, I am the only one left. Major Trotter as I mentioned previously having died from his wounds and poor Beaver the sub. Succumbed to gastritis this morning – rather rough just after having earned his V.C. ... We are a very snug lot at Manipur – Col. Eliot and the Adjt. Melville, Banerjee the doctor and Wilcox a transport officer. Better than being the solitary European as I was before – it is some thing to be able to talk in own tongue.
Manipur
August 5, 1886
By the way that Standard of the 30th of June told an awful lie about the fight. You would think from it that I had a large force and 2 Batteries (12 guns) of artillery and that I got licked. Why with such a force I could walk through Burma. I had only 110 men and 2 small toy (7 lbs.) guns – these last manned by Manipuris who did not know how to use them. I sent the Standard to Headquarters to have it contradicted – such an occurrence as there described would ruin me professionally. I don’t think there are more than 2 batteries in Upper Burma altogether. I don’t know who could have sent the telegram. I never even ordered an assault on the stockade, as there were over 2000 Burmans, and though I might have succeeded I should have lost more men that I could afford to. You should hear how angry everyone is about it here and at Tamu. Though it is a vain thing for me to say they all look upon me as quite a hero, and the anxiety displayed by all ranks from the General down for my recovery is very flattering.
(Note: A later issue of the Standard contained an accurate and detailed account "by an officer belonging to one of the regiments which furnished part of the detachment of 110 men engaged. It included the statements "Major Hailes reconnoitered the stockade carefully on all sides and began to shell it, but could make no impression on it with his small guns, the stockade being composed as the scouting party had discovered, of three distinct palisades of stout timbers placed close together; the palisades being placed one inside the other, and the intervening spaces entrenched and protected with sharp bamboo spikes." "The enemy, without doubt, are the best troops of the old Burmese Army" and "It is acknowledged that it is mainly owing to the stand made by Major Hailes at Tamu that the occupation of Kendat was so easily accomplished and there is no doubt that in cold weather all resistance will be crushed).
... Our poor fellows left at Tamu are dying from fever like sheep. They have been ordered to return to Manipur and the 44th N.I. replace them soon. ...
I had a letter from Sophie a few days ago, not giving me much news but telling me that the Viceroy had been to sit with her, to talk about me (Gammon! He is an old flirt). He did however telegraph in his own name to know how I was getting on.
(Note: The last letter in the series is dated "Manipur, September 9, 1886." He sailed for England on November 14th after having been invalided by a medical board. The remaining half of the bullet was extracted at St. Thomas Hospital, London. He returned to India, arriving at Bombay on October 30, 1888 having been gazetted brevet lieutenant colonel in the London Gazette of November 25, 1887, with effect from July 1st).
Walter Leslie Hailes, son of Walter Hailes and Janet Emily Thomson, was born June 21, 1888. He was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer led his company in a successful night attack on the enemy’s trenches, and maintained his position there under heavy fire for several hours. (Extract from the London Gazette of September 13, 1918 3rd supplement.)
John Martin Hunter Hailes, son of Martin Hunter Hailes and Dorothy Russell and grandson of Walter Hailes and Janet Emily Thomson, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette of April 24, 1953). The citation reads:
Major Hailes has been in command of an independent air (O.P.) Flight since July 1952. He joined the flight at a time when it was meeting considerable enemy resistance but with his arrival the flight went from strength to strength.
The credit for this rests entirely with Major Hailes. From the very outset he was complete master of the situation and displayed leadership of the highest order in all spheres but, most particularly, in that of operations.
He himself did far more flying that his duties as Flight Commander required and it was characteristic of him that he would always use the most doubtful aircraft, leaving the others for the remaining pilots.
His magnificent example, efficiency, and courage during this difficult period was a great inspiration to the more experienced pilots and filled the younger ones with unshakable confidence.
While going to great pains to train his younger pilots he carried, at the same time, an even greater share of the operational sorties than would have been his in a normal situation.
He has personally flown 125 sorties and conducted 166 shoots with guns of the divisional and corps artillery.
He has thus been responsible for inflicting many casualties of both men and equipment on the enemy.
The whole division has the greatest respect and admiration for its Air (O.P.) Flight and this is a direct result of the magnificent leadership, courage, and conscientiousness consistently displayed by Major Hailes throughout the period.
Third Annual
Schofield – Hales Family Reunion
The Third Annual reunion of the Schofield and Hales families – comprised of descendants of George Hales (1822 – 1907) and his two wives: Sarah Ann Gregory (1823 – 1908), and Louise Ann Eddins (1834 – 1906); is scheduled for Saturday, July 14, 2001 at the Bowry behind the Syracuse Elementary School at Syracuse, Utah.
Descendants of George’s brothers and sisters, the descendants of Stephen and Mary Ann Hales, are also welcome.
The Reunion begins at approximately 11 a.m. and runs to around 2 or 3 p.m. Bring your own picnic lunch.
This Reunion has taken root and promises to continue to grow. We would be pleased to see you there and share your stories and genealogy with us.