More about John Haggart

John is believed to be the brother of Sapper Andrew Tait Haggart, 20404, G. Coy, Royal Engineers.

J Haggart   56922   Royal Field Artillery

D.C.M. FOR DUNDEE ARTILLERYMAN

WHO FOUGHT IN THE MONS RETREAT.

Another Dundee “Old Contemptible” has received the D.C.M. for gallantry.  He is No. 56922 Corporal J. Haggart, A Battery, 88th Brigade, R.F.A., whose home is at 71 Watson Street, Dundee.  A soldier of the regular army in pre-war days he went to France in August, 1914, and for three years and ten months served at the front with the field artillery.  He was twice wounded.  Corporal Haggart gained the D.C.M. on 10th April last year in the fighting against the German offensive at Messines Ridge.  An extract from the London Gazette relates how his D.C.M. was won, “for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  As No. 1 of his gun, this n.c.o. displayed great gallantry in keeping his gun in action and firing on the enemy, who were only a few hundred yards away when our own infantry had fallen back to a position in rear of the guns.  On many occasions his courage and coolness have been most conspicuous, and throughout the operations the example he set the men was worthy of the highest praise.”  Corporal Haggart, who has lost a leg as the result of wounds, was a butcher in civil life in the employment of Mr Mitchell, Newbigging, Monikie.  Corporal Haggart states that he had been instructed to proceed to Broughty Ferry to be presented with the D.C.M., but the medal unexpectedly arrived by post yesterday.

Dundee Courier 28th June 1919