THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

HARGEST James

9/286, Major, 2 Battalion, Otago Regiment, WW1

31156, Brigadier, 5th New Zealand Infantry Brigade, WW2

CITATION

Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) military

Gazetted 12 October 1943, Supp 36209, p4539

In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.

Military Cross

Gazetted 11 December 1916, p12110

For conspicuous gallantry in action. He organised and led a bombing party, thereby driving the enemy back and securing his left flank.  Later, he

organised the defence of the position with great skill at a critical time.

Distinguished Service Order

Gazetted 7 November 1918, p13137

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an advance. He commanded his battalion with marked ability. His tactical dispositions were

excellent, and he secured and forwarded valuable information.  Constantly in the front trenches he inspired all ranks with the keenest offensive

spirit, and the uninterrupted success of the battalion operations were largely due to his fine personal leadership."

Bar to the Distinguished Service Order

Gazetted 26 December 1941 Issue 35396, p7332

For devotion to duty, coolness and tactical skill in command of 5th (NZ) Infantry Brigade throughout the operations during which his brigade was

almost continuously engaged (Crete).  On 21 and 22 May (1941) he withdrew his brigade from exposed positions at Maleme under conditions of great difficulty.  On 26th May, west of Canea, he held his position in the face of repeated and severe air and ground attacks, restoring a dangerous situation by counter attack.  In the evening he withdrew his brigade with great skill to a covering position some miles in rear at the head of Suda Bay and thereafter fought a rearguard action which was largely instrumental in securing the safe embarkation of our troops at Spharkia

Second bar to the Distinguished Service Order

Gazetted 5 October 1943, Supplement 36198, p4437

Escape from Camp 12 PM 3200, Italy (Generals Camp).  This camp was extremely well guarded and inconsequence it was decided that the only possible method of escape would be by way of tunnel.  On the 13th September 1942, tunnelling began. All officers and other ranks worked, with the exception of one officer who was awaiting repatriation.  The entrance to the tunnel was through a sealed up chapel in which all soil was placed.  The work, which consisted of a 3 foot by 3 foot tunnel, 40 feet long with a 10 foot shaft at the entrance and a 7 foot shaft at the exit, was completed by the end of February 1943.  At 2100 hours on the 29th March 1943, Brigadiers MILES and HARGEST, in company with four other officers, escaped through the tunnel.  The four other officers were subsequently recaptured.  Brigadiers Miles and Hargest dressed as workmen and having walked to Florence station, caught a train to Milan where they went to the north station.  They caught a train to Como and walked toward Chiasso, 2 kilometres from Chiasso they left the main road and proceeded across country until they reached a knoll south of Chiasso where the frontier lay along the opposite slope of a valley below them.  The frontier consisted of heavy cyclone netting 12 foot high interlaced with brambles and with small bells near the top.  They cut the wire with pliers at ground level without making much noise and came on to Swiss territory at 220 hours on the 30th March 1943.  They gave themselves up to the police at Mendrisio and were released in Berne on the 2nd April 1943.

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted 31 December 1918, p15231

Sir D. Haig’s despatch dated 8 November 1918, submitting names deserving of special mention.

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted

Legion d'Honneur, Chevalier (France)

Gazetted 29 January 1919, p1446

For great gallantry and skilful leadership in action.  During operations in front of Puisieux 14th – 18th August 1918, Major Hargest displayed courage and initiative of a high order.  He led his Battalion with great skill and the marked success of his Battalion’s operations was largely due to his example and personal leadership.  During the action north of Bapaume on August 25th Major Hargest was in command of his Battion when it made and advance of 2,000 yards, the first 1,000 yards of which was across open country and the remainder through a wooded village.   To his personal example and skilful leading the success of the operation was largely due.  Prior to the attack he made a personal reconnaissance of the position, under heavy shell and machine-gun fire, thus obtaining much valuable information and contributing very largely to the success of the whole operation.  His example throughout was an inspiration to the officers and men of his Battalion.

Military Cross (Greece)

Gazetted 7 April 1942 Supplement 35519, p1595

In recognition of services in the cause of the Allies

KNOWN AWARDS

Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Distinguished Service Order and Two Bars

Military Cross

1914-15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Mentioned in Despatches

1939-45 Star

Africa Star

France and Germany Star

War Medal 1939-1945

Mentioned in Despatches

New Zealand War Service Medal

Silver Jubilee Medal 1935

Coronation Medal 1937

Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration

Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal

New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal

New Zealand Territorial Service Medal

Legion d'Honneur, Chevalier (France)

Military Cross (Greece)

NOTES

Born 4 September 1891, Gore, New Zealand

Killed in Action Normandy 12 August 1944 France

Buried Hottot-les-Bagues Cemetery, France