Haddon Donald

Haddon Vivian Donald
DSO, MC, ED

Haddon Donald in 1951
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Wairarapa
In office
1963–1969
Preceded by Bertie Cooksley
Succeeded by Jack Williams
Personal details
Born (1917-03-20) 20 March 1917
Masterton, New Zealand
Nationality New Zealand
Political party National
Military service
Allegiance  New Zealand
Service/branch New Zealand Army
Rank Lieutenant Colonel
Commands 22nd Battalion
Battles/wars

Second World War

Awards Distinguished Service Order
Military Cross
Mentioned in Despatches
Efficiency Decoration
Officer of the Legion of Merit (United States)

Haddon Vivian Donald DSO, MC, ED (born 20 March 1917) is a former New Zealand soldier, businessman and politician of the National Party.

Biography

Parliament of New Zealand
Years Term Electorate Party
19631966 34th Wairarapa National
19661969 35th Wairarapa National

Donald was born in 1917 at Masterton.[1] He was educated at Nelson College from 1930 to 1932,[2] and afterwards at Wairarapa College.[1]

He joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in 1939.[1] During the Second World War he was an officer in the 22nd Battalion, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. The history group of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage has an interview with Haddon on its website where he describes the events at the Maleme airfield as part of the Battle of Crete.[3] Donald was awarded the Military Cross in 1942,[4] and the Distinguished Service Order in 1945. In 1947 he was made an Officer of the Legion of Merit by the United States.[5] Donald later wrote about his experiences soldiering in Greece, Crete and Egypt in the book In Peace and War: A Civilian Soldier's Story, published in 2005.[6]

He represented the Wairarapa electorate from 1963 in succession to Bertie Cooksley, who retired after five terms.[7] Donald held the electorate until 1969, when he was defeated by Labour's Jack Williams.[8]

On his return from the war, he was a manufacturer based in the Wairarapa.[1] Donald worked for his family firm of Donald Presses Ltd for 50 years, and was chairman of the company from 1970 to 1986. He captained the New Zealand rifle team on five occasions.[2] Donald lives in Taupo.[9] His wife died in May 2014, aged 90, and was buried in Masterton.[10]

Bibliography

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Gustafson 1986, p. 308.
  2. 1 2 Nelson College Old Boys' Register, 1856–2006, 6th edition
  3. "Haddon Donald describes defending Maleme airfield, Crete". Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  4. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 35492. p. 1261. 19 March 1942. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  5. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 37909. p. 1316. 20 March 1947. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  6. Donald 2005.
  7. Wilson 1985, pp. 190, 193.
  8. Wilson 1985, pp. 193, 245.
  9. Donoghue, Tim (14 May 2011). "Officer breaks rank over the Battle of Crete". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  10. Crombie, Nathan (21 May 2014). "Kiwi heroes of Crete remembered". Wairarapa Times-Age. Retrieved 17 June 2015.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Haddon Donald.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
Bertie Cooksley
Member of Parliament for Wairarapa
1963–1969
Succeeded by
Jack Williams
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