John Haines was born in Rhyl, Flintshire during 1895.

The 1901 Census tells us that the family lived at 10 Gas Street, Rhyl, Flintshire.  The head of the family was Gomer Haines aged 24, who was employed as a Coal Stoker. His wife Margaret Haines aged 27 and their two children, John Haines aged 5 and Joseph Haines aged 1 year.

During April 1911 John Haines lived as a Boarder at 78 Mount Street, Flint, Flintshire and was employed as a Labourer in Oakenholt Paper Mill, Flint.

At the outbreak of the First World War he enlisted with 5th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers and on Monday 19 July 1915, sailed from Devonport with the Battalion, via Alexandria to Gallipoli arriving in Sulva Bay on Sunday 8 August 1915.  Two days later on Tuesday 10 August 1915 he was severely wounded and on Monday 16 August 1915 he died of his wounds on the Hospital Ship ‘Salta’.

Hospital Ship, ‘SALTA’

A number of soldiers from 5th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who are remembered on the Rhyl War Memorial were killed in action at Sulva Bay on Tuesday 10 August 1915 – Private 2554 Bertie Campini of 36 Ffynnongroew Road, Rhyl, Private 876 Peter Edwards of 8 Gronant Street, Rhyl, Private 1287 David Jones of 11 Brickfield Terrace, Rhyl, Private 857 William Jones of 122 Wellington Road, Rhyl, Second Lieutenant Robert Clare Walton of 11 Garden Lane, Chester and Sergeant William Wilton.  Three other Rhyl Soldiers who are also remembered on the Rhyl War Memorial were also killed in action or died from wounds at Sulva Bay some days later – Private 1596 John Haines, 5th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, of 9 West Street, Rhyl on Monday 16 August 1915, Private 3248 Edward Davies, 5th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers of 80, Vale Road, Rhyl on Sunday 22 August 1915 and  Private 175 Francis James Martin, Army Cyclist Corps(Welsh Division) of 11 Kinmel Street, Rhyl on Sunday 29 August 1915.

On 10 March 1916, a payment of £2.8s.8d was made by the War Office to Mrs Margaret Haines, being monies owed to her son John.  On 29 July 1919, a further payment which is recorded as a War Gratuity of £3.10s.od was also made to her.

John Haines is remembered on a Remembrance Plaque at The Royal Alexandra Hospital, Marine Drive, Rhyl, Flintshire and the North Wales Heroes Memorial Arch, Deiniol Road, Bangor, North Wales.

John Haines is also remembered on a Roll of Honour Plaque at the Welsh Methodist Chapel, Warren Road, Rhyl, Flintshire.

There is a Flintshire Roll of Honour Card for him at the County Archives Office, Hawarden, which is undated and unsigned.