Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Second-Lieutenant

Unit:

Scots Guards

Awarded on:

September 17th, 1940

Citation:
"On August 18, 1940, Seond Lieutenant Hague was in charge of a detachment at an aerodrome when it was attacked by enemy bombers in five successive waves. His headquarters were destroyed by a bomb in the first wave and he himself was burried in debris. Extricated by a sergeant, but suffering from shock as well as severe pain in his shoulder, which was crushed by falling masonry, he at once visited his posts and found that men in the reserve trench had been driven out of it by burning petrol from a petrol tank lorry which had exploded. Second Lieutenant Hague immediately collected these men into two parties and led them to other shelters, of which the farthest was 100 yards away. While doing this 10 more bombs were dropped within a few yards of him and he was subjected to continuous machine-gun fire from heights, varying from 300ft. to 30ft.
His prompt action and initiative while suffering much pain undoubtedly prevented casualties from being much heavier."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

1st Battalion, Scots Guards

Awarded on:

February 8th, 1945

Citation:
"On 26th July, 1944, Captain Hague MC., Officer Commanding 'B' Company was ordered to attack and capture Pt.302, an important feature S.W. of STRADA, the occupation of which was essential to enable the advance of the Brigade on FLORENCE to be continued and which it was thought form a base for the deployment of an armoured regiment. It was clear that the regiment could not be deployed if the feature was not captured.

Time for reconnaissance was short and owing to a false crest the feature was extremely difficult to identify. None the less Captain Hague started his company off without delay. He had expected to contact their tanks on the way to the objective, but failing to do so owing to the nature of the ground he proceeded to attack the feature alone. The company soon came under extremely heavy MG fire and considerbale casualties were caused, including all the Officers with the exception of Captain Hague.

At this stage the company was in such close contact with the enemy, that it was not possible to bring down arty fire on them without the risk of casualties to our own troops.

As it was now clear that Pt. 302 held much more strongly then was anticipated by a force at least equal to his own Captain Hague decided to make no further attempt till he ?? tank support., He therefore contacted them personally under circumstances of great difficlty and danger and organised a fresh attack which succeeded in taking the objective although the enemy remained in close contact.

It is clear the during the whole operatio Captain Hague dislayed skil. courgae, leadership and determination the very highest order.
Although it became evident that the opposition was much stronger than expected and that one company was too small for force for the operation, he continued to rely on himself with no Officers to assist him and fought on till he had had beaten from his objective an enemy determined to hold it to the last and who continued to fire when the tanks were on top of them.

In addition, after consolidation, Captain Hague went forward with a Stretcher Bearer, 120 yards in front of the Company position to bring in a Guardsman whom he believed to be wounded, but who proved in fact to be dead. They had located the man and were examining him, when a section of Germans opened fire on them at a range of ten yards. Neither was hit and they extricated themselves under covering fire from the company.

Not only on this occasion was Captain Hague personally responsible for the capture of a vital objective under the most trying of conditions, but on all occasions, in action, he has shown the highest qualities as a soldier and earned the respect and admiration of every Officer and man in the Battalion."

WO 373/9/257