Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

8th King's Royal Irish Hussars, Palestine Command, British Army

Awarded on:

July 23rd, 1937

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

8th King's Royal Irish Hussars, Palestine Command, British Army

Awarded on:

1938

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

Trans-Jordan Frontier Force (TJFF), British Army

Awarded on:

October 21st, 1941

Citation:
"In recognition of gallant en distinguished services in the Middle-East."

Recommendation:
"Attack on EZRA FORT 18th JUNE.41
For organising, carrying out an personally leading, although wounded during his reconnaissance, a bold plan which might have failed but for his undaunted courage and coolness in the face of heavy enemy fire. His orders had to be given in English, French and Arabic and were perfectly understood by all."

In the field 26/6/41.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Major

Unit:

8th King's Royal Irish Hussars, 4th Armoured Brigade, 7th Armoured Division, British Army

Awarded on:

August 13th, 1942

Citation:
"In recognition of gallant en distinguished services in the Middle-East."

Recommendation:
"At about 0730 hours on May 27th, 1942, the Regiment was attacked in grearly superior force by the 8th German Tank Regiment in the area Giof el Baar (3938). Major Hackett succeeded during this action in keeping his Squadron together in spite of the fact that Regimental Headquarters and both Grant Squadrons had been put out of action. His Squadron knocked out a least 10 German tanks and then withdrew and for the remainder of the day acting on his own initiative took up the roll of left flank Guard to the mass of wheeled vehicles retiring on BIDI RZEGH. He was continuously in action against German light forces during the day in spite of running out of petrol and ammunition. It was entirely due to his own initiative that most of this Transport was saved from attack. During the opening battle Major Hackett's tank was hit, he himself suffering from burns which did not detract him from remaining in action until nightfall."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Brigadier

Unit:

Headquarters, 4th Parachute Brigade, 1st Airborne Division, British Army

Awarded on:

August 24th, 1944

Citation:
"In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Brigadier

Unit:

Headquarters, 4th Parachute Brigade, 1st Airborne Division, British Army

Awarded on:

May 24th, 1945

Awarded for:

Operation Market Garden

Citation:
"At Arnhem from the 18th September until he was wounded this officer was continuously in close action with the enemy.
On the 19th September, his Brigade, which was engaged North of Arnhem railway met considerable enemy opposition. Despite innumerable difficulties he disengaged his Brigade and moved South of the railway to rejoin the remainder of the Division. During this disengagement and whilst moving through the woods to the West of Arnhem his Brigade became very heavily involved with strong enemy parties of infantry and tanks and a general melee ensued. Brigadier Hackett, by his personal example and leadership managed to extract a number of the Brigade and in spite of intense enemy fire brought them to within the Divisional Perimeter.
On the 21st September he took command of a sector of the perimeter which was made of many different units. Brigadier Hackett was tireless and quite oblivious to enemy fire when visiting his posts. Although almost continually assailed, the excellence of his arrangements was such that his sector of the perimeter was maintained. Until he was severely wounded on the 24th September, Brigadier Hackett showed inspiring leadership.
He was evacuated to hospital which was then in Germany hands. When he was about to be sent in to Germany, Brigadier Hackett, although he was not fit to move, managed to leave the hospital and took refuge with Dutch civilians. He remained in hiding until he was sufficiently recovered from his wounds and until arrangements could be made for him to rejoin our own troops South of the River Rhine.
The determination shown by this officer in the fighting and during the subsequent period in hiding was quite outstanding."

This award was obtained in the form of an bar to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Brigadier

Unit:

Headquarters, 4th Parachute Brigade, 1st Airborne Division, British Army

Awarded on:

September 20th, 1945

Citation:
"After being wounded during fighting at Oosterbeek on 24th September 1944, Brigadier Hackett was taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital, Arnhem, where an operation was performed the same evening. At this time the hospital was controlled by the Germans, and with a view to facilitating escape on his recovery, Brigadier Hackett got himself registered as a Major. Only three days after his operation he began collecting clothing and other escape aids. On 8th October 1944, although he was still very weak, Brigadier Hackett was evacuated by a member of the Dutch Underground to Ede. Whilst he was convalescing, Brigadier Hackett contributed to an Underground newspaper weekly notes on the military situation which he compiled from information received over the wireless; this activity ceased in December 44 when many Dutch workers were arrested. Several plans were made to get Brigadier Hackett through the lines, and he exercised daily in preparation for this event but it was not until the end of January 1945 that the journey was begun. He finally reached safety on 5th February 1945, after a strenuous journey by cycle and canoe."

Rank:

Temporary Colonel

Awarded on:

January 7th, 1949

Palestine 46-47

Rank:

Temporary Brigadier

Unit:

Northern Army Group

Awarded on:

June 1st, 1953

"Brigadier HACKETT's distinguished war service, culminating with a successful command of a parachute brigade in North West Europe, has been followed by an equally fine post war record.

During the last very exacting year he has been DQMG Headquarters Northern Army Group and has been primarily responsible for budget estimates and expenditure amounting to £ 120 million, and military negotiations on financial matters with the economic and other staff of the High Commissioner for Germany, in addition to his more normal military duties.

Brigadier HACKETT has carried out all these duties to my entire satisfaction and had established very fine relationships with both the High Commissioner's staff and the other authorities, both service and civilian, with whom he has been in contact.

These numerous duties have proved so excessive that it has een necessary, despite his outstanding ability, to reduce the scope of his duties and provide an additional Brigadier to carry out half of them.

Brigadier HACKNETT's devotion to duty has been an inspiration to all his subordinates and has won him the complete confidence of his superiors. He has, therefore, most successfully carried out his duties greatly in excess of those normal to his rank and service. His zeal, ability and devotion to duty are outstanding and fully justify recognition."

Rank:

Major-General

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1958

Rank:

Lieutenant-general

Awarded on:

June 2nd, 1962

Rank:

General

Awarded on:

June 10th, 1967

Awarded on:

1968

Wth palm for Mentioned in Despatches Clasp 'Palestine'

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)