James Hargest
Encyclopedia
Brigadier
James Hargest CBE
, DSO & 2 bars
, MC
, ED
, MP
, (4 September 1891 – 12 August 1944) was a New Zealand
military officer and politician.
Hargest was born in Gore
, where his father was a farmer. He joined the Territorial Force in 1911, and when World War I
broke out, he volunteered to serve in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force
, being commissioned as a second lieutenant
. He fought and was wounded in the Gallipoli Campaign, and later fought in France
. By the end of the war, he had risen to command a battalion
, and had been awarded the Military Cross, the DSO, and the French Légion d'honneur
.
Upon his return to New Zealand, Hargest returned to farming, buying land near Invercargill
. He became active in local affairs, and in 1931 was elected to Parliament as the MP for Invercargill. He held Invercargill
from 1931
to 1935
, and then Awarua from 1935
to 1944.
Initially an Independent
Reform
MP, Hargest was a supporter of the coalition between the United Party
and the Reform Party
. The coalition coalesced to become the National Party
, and Hargest formally joined the new party.
With the outbreak of World War II
, Hargest sought to return to military service. Initially, he was turned down on medical grounds, but this was overridden by the Prime Minister
, Michael Joseph Savage
. Hargest left New Zealand in 1940, holding the rank of Brigadier. He and his forces took part in the Battle of Crete
, where his inactivity during the first two days contributed to the loss of Maleme
airfield, enabling the Germans to turn the battle. After the loss of Crete, his brigade took part in the defence of Tobruk
, where he was captured in November 1941. Hargest was imprisoned in Castle Vincigliata
, near Florence
, along with a number of other Allied officers. A group of officers, including Hargest, managed to escape — Hargest and Brigadier Reginald Miles
, another New Zealander were the only two to reach safety in neutral Switzerland
. With the help of the French Resistance
, Hargest travelled through France to Spain
, from where he flew to England
in November 1943. He became the highest-ranking British officer to escape in either war. Later, he was appointed New Zealand's observer in the D-Day
landings in Normandy
, being attached to a British division in the 21st Army Group. He was wounded twice, and on 12 August 1944 was killed by shell fire.
James Hargest College
in Invercargill is named after him.
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
James Hargest CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, DSO & 2 bars
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
, ED
Efficiency Decoration
The Efficiency Decoration is a defunct medal of Britain and the Commonwealth awarded for long service in the Territorial Army of the UK, the Indian Volunteer Forces and Colonial Auxiliary Forces....
, MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
, (4 September 1891 – 12 August 1944) was a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
military officer and politician.
Hargest was born in Gore
Gore, New Zealand
Gore is a town, surrounding borough, and district in the Southland region of the South Island of New Zealand.-Geography:The Gore District has a land area of 1,251.62 km² and a resident population of...
, where his father was a farmer. He joined the Territorial Force in 1911, and when World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
broke out, he volunteered to serve in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
The New Zealand Expeditionary Force was the title of the military forces sent from New Zealand to fight for Britain during World War I and World War II. Ultimately, the NZEF of World War I was known as the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force...
, being commissioned as a second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
. He fought and was wounded in the Gallipoli Campaign, and later fought in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. By the end of the war, he had risen to command a battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
, and had been awarded the Military Cross, the DSO, and the French Légion d'honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
.
Upon his return to New Zealand, Hargest returned to farming, buying land near Invercargill
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
. He became active in local affairs, and in 1931 was elected to Parliament as the MP for Invercargill. He held Invercargill
Invercargill (New Zealand electorate)
Invercargill is an electorate of the Parliament of New Zealand that has existed since 1866. The current representative is Eric Roy.-Population centres:The electorate covers Invercargill city and the surrounding rural area, including Stewart Island / Rakiura...
from 1931
New Zealand general election, 1931
The 1931 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 24th term. It resulted in the newly formed coalition between the United Party and the Reform Party remaining in office as the Liberal-Reform Government, although the opposition Labour...
to 1935
New Zealand general election, 1935
The 1935 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 25th term. It resulted in the Labour Party's first electoral victory, with Michael Joseph Savage becoming the first Labour Prime Minister...
, and then Awarua from 1935
New Zealand general election, 1935
The 1935 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 25th term. It resulted in the Labour Party's first electoral victory, with Michael Joseph Savage becoming the first Labour Prime Minister...
to 1944.
Initially an Independent
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
Reform
Reform
Reform means to put or change into an improved form or condition; to amend or improve by change of color or removal of faults or abuses, beneficial change, more specifically, reversion to a pure original state, to repair, restore or to correct....
MP, Hargest was a supporter of the coalition between the United Party
United Party (New Zealand)
The United Party of New Zealand, a party formed out of the remnants of the Liberal Party, formed a government between 1928 and 1935, and in 1936 merged with the Reform Party to establish the National Party...
and the Reform Party
New Zealand Reform Party
The Reform Party, formally the New Zealand Political Reform League, was New Zealand's second major political party, having been founded as a conservative response to the original Liberal Party...
. The coalition coalesced to become the National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
, and Hargest formally joined the new party.
With the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Hargest sought to return to military service. Initially, he was turned down on medical grounds, but this was overridden by the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
, Michael Joseph Savage
Michael Joseph Savage
Michael Joseph Savage was the first Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand.- Early life :Born in Tatong, Victoria, Australia, Savage first became involved in politics while working in that state. He emigrated to New Zealand in 1907. There he worked in a variety of jobs, as a miner, flax-cutter and...
. Hargest left New Zealand in 1940, holding the rank of Brigadier. He and his forces took part in the Battle of Crete
Battle of Crete
The Battle of Crete was a battle during World War II on the Greek island of Crete. It began on the morning of 20 May 1941, when Nazi Germany launched an airborne invasion of Crete under the code-name Unternehmen Merkur...
, where his inactivity during the first two days contributed to the loss of Maleme
Maleme
Maleme is a town and airport to the west of Chania, in North Western Crete, Greece. It is located in Platanias municipality, in Chania prefecture....
airfield, enabling the Germans to turn the battle. After the loss of Crete, his brigade took part in the defence of Tobruk
Siege of Tobruk
The siege of Tobruk was a confrontation that lasted 240 days between Axis and Allied forces in North Africa during the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War...
, where he was captured in November 1941. Hargest was imprisoned in Castle Vincigliata
Vincigliata
Vincigliata Castle is a medieval castle which stands on a rocky hill to the east of Fiesole in the Italian region of Tuscany. In the mid-nineteenth century the building, which had fallen into a ruinous state, was acquired by the Englishman John Temple-Leader and entirely reconstructed in the...
, near Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, along with a number of other Allied officers. A group of officers, including Hargest, managed to escape — Hargest and Brigadier Reginald Miles
Reginald Miles
Brigadier Reginald Miles, CBE, DSO & Bar, MC Military leader, prisoner of war.Reginald Miles was born in Springston, near Christchurch, in 1892 into a New Zealand farming family. He was educated at Rangiora High School and in 1910 was commissioned a subaltern in the school cadets...
, another New Zealander were the only two to reach safety in neutral Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. With the help of the French Resistance
French Resistance
The French Resistance is the name used to denote the collection of French resistance movements that fought against the Nazi German occupation of France and against the collaborationist Vichy régime during World War II...
, Hargest travelled through France to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, from where he flew to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in November 1943. He became the highest-ranking British officer to escape in either war. Later, he was appointed New Zealand's observer in the D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
landings in Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
, being attached to a British division in the 21st Army Group. He was wounded twice, and on 12 August 1944 was killed by shell fire.
James Hargest College
James Hargest College
James Hargest College is a large school of about 1800 students, in Invercargill, New Zealand. The majority of students are New Zealand European, but there are some Māori and Asians. The school caters for students from year 7-13....
in Invercargill is named after him.
List of honours
Commander of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(Great Britain)- Distinguished Service OrderDistinguished Service OrderThe Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
and Two Bars (Great Britain) - Military CrossMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(Great Britain) -
1914-15 Star1914-15 StarThe 1914-15 Star was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War I.The 1914-15 Star was approved in 1918, for issue to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served in any theatre of the War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915 .Recipients of this medal also...
(Great Britain) -
British War Medal 1914-19British War MedalThe British War Medal was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War I.The medal was approved in 1919, for issue to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who had rendered service between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918...
(Great Britain) - Victory MedalVictory Medal (United Kingdom)The Victory Medal is a campaign medal - of which the basic design and ribbon was adopted by Belgium, Brazil, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Siam, Union of South Africa and the USA in accordance with decisions as taken at the Inter-Allied Peace Conference at...
with Mention in Despatches (Great Britain) -
1939-45 Star (Great Britain) - Africa StarAfrica StarThe Africa Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in the Second World War.The Star was awarded for a minimum of one day service in an operational area of North Africa between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943...
(Great Britain) -
France and Germany StarFrance and Germany StarThe France and Germany Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II.The medal was awarded for operational service in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Germany from 6 June 1944 to 8 May 1945...
(Great Britain) - War Medal 1939-45 with Mention in Despatches (Great Britain)
- New Zealand War Service MedalNew Zealand War Service MedalThe New Zealand War Service Medal was a New Zealand campaign medal for service in World War II.The NZWSM was approved in 1946, and was awarded to members of the New Zealand armed forces, the National Military Reserve, and the Home Guard...
(New Zealand) - King George V Silver Jubilee MedalKing George V Silver Jubilee MedalThe King George V Silver Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal made to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the coronation of King George V.-Issue:...
(Great Britain) - King George VI Coronation MedalKing George VI Coronation MedalThe King George VI Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal made to celebrate the coronation of King George VI.-Issue:For Coronation and Jubilee medals, the practice up until 1977 was that United Kingdom authorities decided on a total number to be produced, then allocated a proportion to each of...
(Great Britain) - Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration
- Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal
-
.gif)
New Zealand Long and Efficient Service MedalNew Zealand Long and Efficient Service MedalThe New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal was the earliest medal awarded in New Zealand for long and efficient services, being issued between 1 January 1887 to 22 September 1931...
(New Zealand) -
New Zealand Territorial Service Medal (New Zealand) -
Chevalier de la Légion d'HonneurLégion d'honneurThe Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
(France) -
Military CrossMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(Greece)
Additional Information
- Hargest, James. Farewell Campo 12 (first published 1945; mainly on his POW experiences & escape).
- Wilson, J.O. New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840–1984 (1985, 4th edition, Government Printer, Wellington)
- Gustafson, Barry. The First 50 Years: A History of the New Zealand National Party (1986, Reed Methuen, Auckland; biographical appendix of National MPs, page 319) ISBN 0-474-00177-6.
- Crawford, J. A. B., "Hargest, James", Dictionary of New Zealand BiographyDictionary of New Zealand BiographyThe Dictionary of New Zealand Biography contains biographies for over 3,000 New Zealanders. It is available in both English and Maori. All volumes of the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography are available online....
Volume Four (1921–1940), Claudia Orange (ed.), Allen & Unwin, 1999. ISBN 978-1-86940-203-7. - Ross, Angus. "HARGEST, James, C.B.E., D.S.O. and 2 bars, M.C., Te Ara Encyclopedia of New ZealandTe Ara Encyclopedia of New ZealandTe Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand is an online encyclopedia created by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage of the New Zealand Government. The project was established in 2002 and the website launched in 2005...
, A. H. McLintock (ed.), New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage, 1966. - The controversies – The Battle for Crete, New Zealand History online, History Group of the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage.