Haig Pashaian was born in St. Lukes, Holborn, London, on December 7, 1919 to Samuel Pashaian and Takouhi Pashaian, née Keutchekian. He had three siblings: Anahid Bournazian (born July 24, 1910 in Armenia; by 1947 resident in Tirana, Albania); Jirair (born May 17, 1915 in England; by 1947 resident in London); and Herair (born October 18, 1917 in England; by 1947 resident in New York).

            In 1916, Haig’s father Samuel opened up his own business, trading as the Armenian Carpet Repairing Co., at 2 Victoria Avenue, Bishopsgate, London, E.C. 2., still in operation at that address in 1922. At the time of his application for naturalization in 1949, Samuel operated his business at 8 Devonshire Row, Bishopsgate, assisted by his two sons, including Haig, both of whom were British born and had served in the British military. That year, the business letterhead shows the shop operating out of 8 Devonshire Row, Bishopsgate, London, doubling as a dealership in “High Grade Oriental Carpets & Rugs.”

            Haig enlisted in the British army in 1940 and served in the Pioneer Corp as a solicitor’s clerk. A document from his military file assessed his conduct as “Exemplary,” further noting that he “would make a good secretary or chief clerk, having had charge of all matters concerning regimental orderly room. Very highly recommended.” The same record indicates that Haig was a dual English/Armenian national and Greek Orthodox by religion. He was discharged from the military in 1952, perhaps due to his relocation to the United States. The file notes: “Services no longer required having proceeded overseas.”[1] Haig died in Queens on August 2, 2002.

            This file was originally closed until 2035 and declassified at my request on June 25, 2026.

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[1] TNAUK, WO 423/555311, military record of H. Pashaian, 1940-1952.