Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph and Lucy Haines. He held a B.A. Music Bac. (Cantab.) degree. On the 31st January 1920 the Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester published a Roll of Honour of former pupils, this records that Frank attended the school between the years 1900 and 1907. The War Diary entries for the events from the 15th to the 19th June 1917 records.
15/6/17. On the night of the 15th/16th June the Battalion moved forward and took up positions in LINCOLN TRENCH U.12.a. and b, preparatory to the attack in TUNNEL TRENCH by the 12th and 13th NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS in the early morning of the 16th June. Battalion HQ in the QUARRY at T.18.b.8.1. Prior to the Battalion moving off the enemy put up a very heavy barrage on the village of CROISILLES, on the ground between the village and the front line and on all approaches to the trenches. This barrage commenced at 9.30pm and finished at 0.45am on the 16th June. Owing to the heaviness of the barrage, 2 Companies of the 13th NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS were delayed in the march up to the front line and as a consequence when “C” Company arrived at BURG TRENCH to take up the position of counter attacking Company, they received instructions to go forward at once and go over the top with the three Companies 13th NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS who were already in position, one Company having been effectively delayed. Owing to the congestion of the very narrow trenches Captain MATTHEWS experienced great difficulty in getting “C” Company into HUMBER TRENCH (front line) and finally led them from BURG TRENCH over the top to HUMBER TRENCH in time for the front platoon under Lt. F. HAINES to go forward with the remainder of the line. The second platoon under 2nd Lt. GREGORY was eventually able to go forward with the 2nd wave. The whole attack was held up at the enemy wire by an intense machine gun barrage, the wire also had not been cut and it is estimated that there were hostile machine guns placed at intervals of only about twenty or thirty yards in TUNNEL TRENCH. At 3.30am the attacking force was compelled to withdraw this being twenty minutes after the zero hour 3.10am. In connection with the engagement, the following awards were made for gallantry – MILITARY MEDAL Cpl. J. W. BRIGGS and Pte. G. DYER both of “C” Company.
16/6/17. FRONT LINE. On the afternoon of the 16th June the Battalion took over the front line from the 13th NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS, “A” Company was on the right from junction of CURRANT LANE with HUMBER TRENCH U.7.d.25.10. to junction of PEAR LANE and HUMBER TRENCH U.7.d.25.45. “C” Company in the centre from the point U.7.d.25.45. to junction of CHERRY LANE and HUMBER TRENCH U.7.d.2.6. and “B” Company from U.7.d.2.6. to junction of HUMBER TRENCH and LUMP LANE U.7.d.15.90. “D” Company were in support in BURG TRENCH to the rear of HUMBER TRENCH. On the night of the 16th June Battalion HQ were moved from the QUARRY to T.18.b.2.1. to a deep dug out in PLUM LANE U.7.d.15.30.
19/6/17. On the morning of the 19th June “D” Company relieved a Company of the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT who were holding LUMP LANE. On the night of the 19th June the Division was relieved by the 35th Division, the Battalion being relieved by the 20th ROYAL FUSILIERS, and our relief proceeded into camp at HAMELINCOURT. During its tour in the line the Battalion sustained the following casualties, officers, Captain S. POOL and 2nd Lt. MEDCALF killed, Lt. F. HAINES missing, 2nd Lt. H. H. DUVALL wounded, other ranks killed 7, wounded 23, missing 6.