James Hargest
| James Hargest | |
|---|---|
Hargest, pictured here as a lieutenant colonel, 1918.
|
|
| Born |
4 September 1891 Gore, New Zealand |
| Died | 12 August 1944 (aged 52) Normandy, France |
| Allegiance | New Zealand |
| Service/branch | New Zealand Military Forces |
| Rank | Brigadier |
| Commands held | 2nd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment 5th Infantry Brigade |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order & Two Bars Military Cross Efficiency Decoration Mentioned in despatches Legion of Honour (France) War Cross (Greece) |
Brigadier James Hargest, CBE, DSO & Two Bars, MC, ED (4 September 1891 – 12 August 1944) was an officer of the New Zealand Military Forces, serving in both the First and Second World Wars. He was a Member of New Zealand's Parliament from 1931 to 1944, representing firstly the Invercargill and then the Awarua electorates.
Born in Gore in 1891, Hargest was a farmer when he volunteered for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force following the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914. Commissioned as an officer, he served in the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915 and was seriously wounded. Following his recovery from his wounds, he returned to active duty on the Western Front. He commanded an infantry battalion during the later stages of the war and received several awards for his leadership. After the war, he returned to New Zealand to resume farming. In 1931 Hargest entered the Parliament of New Zealand as the member for Invercargill. Initially an independent, he was one of the strongest supporters of the National Party that was formed in 1936, and held an executive role in the party hierarchy. From 1938, he represented the Awarua electorate and had been considered for the party leadership, but he was no longer available once he volunteered for active service.
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