George Haig (sometimes spelt Haigh) was born at Dalkeith near Edinburgh, Scotland. After completing his apprenticeship as a plumber, he emigrated to Australia around 1913. Haig played football for Granville’s reserve grade team.
He enlisted in 1915 and rose through the non-commissioned ranks. He went to officer’s school in 1917 and received his commission as a Lieutenant. Local newspaper The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrower’s Advocate reported “Another of Granville’s famous Magpie footballers has won a commission and is now saluted as Lieutenant George Haigh. Congratulations and more good luck to George.” Haig was with the 30 Battalion during the Allied offensive on 8 August 1918, known as the ‘black day of the German army,’ that would ultimately lead to the end of the war.
Noticing enemy activity in some huts opposite his battalion’s position, Haig advanced to capture them but was struck by machine gun fire at point blank range. His body was recovered by his men and was later buried at Aubigny cemetery, near Amiens.