Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Corporal

Unit:

D Company, 1st Battalion, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
On the morning, 6 August 1943, “D” Coy. was ordered to attack and capture a 600 foot high rocky ridge overlooking the main road west of Adrano.
The ridge was well defended, little cover was available, and the section commanded by Cpl. Hadden soon came under heavy fire from a German machine gun post, suffering two casualties. This soldier then dispersed his section to give him covering fire and coolly crawled forward himself to take on the enemy post.
During the 700 yards advance on the post he inflicted sufficient casualties with his Bren to keep the enemy heads down and then brought his section still further forward. Continuing on alone, still under the same heavy fire, he reached grenade range, threw five grenades at the position, with his section assaulted at the point of the bayonet and routed the enemy.
Cpl. Hadden’s leadership and personal bravery were in the highest traditions of the service.