Donald, Haddon Vivian
- Date of birth:
- March 20th, 1917
- Date of death:
- April 23rd, 2018
- Service number:
- 6011
- Nationality:
- New Zealander (1907-1947, Dominion UK)
Biography
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Military Cross (MC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant
- Awarded on:
- March 19th, 1942
"In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Captain
- Awarded on:
- January 13th, 1944
"In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
- Awarded on:
- May 10th, 1945
"On 27 June 1944 during the advance to the ARNO Lt-col Donald took over in addition to his own Battalion an small composite column which had been advancing towards S CASCIANO. From this time until POGGIA was taken, Lt-col Donald's Battalion did the whole of the infantry work in 4 NZ Armoured Brigade Sector, carrying out several consecutive attacks, all of which were succesful. As the Brigade held a one Battalion front the units in support and under command raised his orders group for each operation to seventeen. Among the localities taken in the course of this fighting were the villages of CIGLIANO, PISIGNANO, CASA VECCHIA, LA ROMOLA, TAVERNACCI and the POGGIONA Feature, in addition to intermediate features which were all strongly held. The complete success of these operations was mainly due to Lt-col Donald's skilful command of his own unit and the supporting arms. His personal courage, energy and resourcefulness were all of the highest order. At every difficult time when personal reconnaissance was necessary to gain first hand information of the most forward troops, his cheerful presence was such that the momentum of a series of continuous attacks was maintained over a period of a week. His personal presence, his optimism and his leadership were an inspiration to all those under his command, contributing in a large measure to the unflagging momentum of advance."
Awarded as an immediate DSO.
Legion of Merit - Officer (LoM - O)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant-Colonel
- Awarded on:
- March 20th, 1947
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
War Service Medal 1939-1945
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- - Copy of the original DSO recommendation - STIWOT archive
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35492 published on the 17 March 1942
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36327 published on the 11 January 1944
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37072 published on the 8 May 1945
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37909 published on the 18 March 1947
- The Pro Patria Project
Photo
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