Clive Hulme
| Alfred Clive Hulme | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
24 January 1911 Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Died | 2 September 1982 (aged 71) Te Puke, New Zealand |
| Allegiance |
 New Zealand
|
| Service/branch |
 New Zealand Military Forces
|
| Years of service | 1940–43 |
| Rank | Warrant Officer |
| Unit | 23rd Battalion |
| Battles/wars |
|
| Awards |
_ribbon.png){kind=small} Victoria Cross
|
| Relations | Denny Hulme (son) |
Alfred Clive Hulme VC (24 January 1911 – 2 September 1982) was a New Zealand recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He received the decoration for his actions during the Battle of Crete in 1941. He was also the father of champion Formula One racing driver Denny Hulme.
Alfred Clive Hulme was born in the city of Dunedin, New Zealand, to a clerk and his wife. Known as Clive, he attended Eastern Hutt School. Powerfully built, he was interested in wrestling in his youth. In 1934 he married Rona Marjorie Murcott and the couple were to have two children. In the late 30's, he worked as a farm labourer in Nelson.
A few months after the outbreak of the Second World War, Hulme enlisted in the New Zealand Military Forces for service abroad with the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF). He was posted to the 23rd Battalion. He was 30 years old and a sergeant in the 23rd Battalion, (The Canterbury Regiment) 5th Brigade, 2nd Division, 2NZEF during the Second World War when the actions took place during the Battle of Crete for which he was awarded the VC.
The citation from the London Gazette dated 10 October 1941 reads:
Sergeant Hulme exhibited most outstanding and inspiring qualities of leadership, initiative, skill, endurance, and most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty from the commencement of the heavy fighting in Crete on 20 May 1941, until he was wounded in action 28 May 1941. On ground overlooking Maleme Aerodrome on 20 and 21 May he personally led parties of his men from the area held by the forward position and destroyed enemy organised parties who had established themselves out in front of our position, from which they brought heavy rifle, machine-gun and mortar fire to bear on our defensive posts. Numerous snipers in the area were dealt with by Sergeant Hulme personally; one hundred and thirty dead were counted here. On 22, 23 and 24 May, Sergeant Hulme was continuously going out alone or with one or two men and destroying enemy snipers. On 25 May, when Sergeant Hulme had rejoined his battalion, this unit counter-attacked Galatas Village. The attack was partially held up by a large party of the enemy holding the school, from which they were inflicting heavy casualties on our troops. Sergeant Hulme went forward alone, threw grenades into the school, and so disorganised the defence that the counter-attack was able to proceed successfully.
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