The Southlander who fought in both World Wars
Looking back at the events of James Hargest’s short life, it’s easy to see why historian Dr Aaron Fox has taken such an interest in it.
Born in Gore in 1891, Hargest took part in both World Wars and was present for a myriad of interesting and significant events.
‘‘His memory, his legacy - I can find it in England, Gallipoli, Crete, Italy, Switzerland, Normandy, northern France.
In his brief life span he achieved so much, and of course he helped form the National Party, he was a politician in Wellington, [he could] have been the first National Prime Minister after World War II.
‘‘One man, who was very modest, came from Mandeville, ends up buried in Normandy and everything in between … it’s just incredible.’’
Fox is in the process of writing Hargest’s biography, a project Hargest’s late son Ken had asked if he’d be interested in.
Hargest left school at the age of 13 and yet his letters home were beautifully written, Fox said.
‘‘He had an engaging interest in life, and from a military point of view, he was there, he did it all.
‘‘He was at Gallipoli. He was on the Western Front. He survived right through to the end of war, and then in World War II he does it again. He’s a Brigadier, he’s commanding troops in 1940-41, then he’s captured. He’s got a great prisoner of war story, and a successful escape.’’
Hargest was captured in Libya in 1941, and in March 1943, he was able to escape from Campo PG 12 in northern Italy through a 13-metre tunnel with fellow New Zealander Brigadier Reginald Miles.
‘‘Right at the end of his career, he’s there on D-Day with the invasion of Europe. He’s one of the few New Zealand Army officers involved with that, and he is on the front line seeing it all happen. It’s a stunning story,’’ Fox said.
There is debate about whether Hargest was responsible for the defeat of Battle for Crete in 1941, with his lethargy and lack of judgement being the main points of blame.
However, Fox doesn’t agree saying it’s all misunderstood.
Somewhere in between the busy times of his life, Hargest found time to write home to his wife, Marie and his children.
He often wrote with love for his wife during World War II, saying ‘‘God bless you, how I love you for them [letters] and
all you are I do.’’
Personal letters and diaries belonging to Hargest are now held by Archives New Zealand.
Hargest died on August 12, 1944, at the age of 54. With the Allies on mainland Europe following D-Day, Hargest was appointed commander of the 2NZEF Reception Group, which was helping to repatriate New Zealanders arriving from liberated prisoner of war camps. He was killed by shell fire during the Battle of Normandy while making a farewell visit to his former British 50th Division.
He is buried at the Hottot-les-Bagues War Cemetery in France.
JAMES HARGEST WWI 9/286 AND WWII 31156 LETTER TO HIS WIFE MARIE.
6.6.44
5.15am
My Darling,
France is in sight - for the last hour we have been watching the sky lit up by our bombs as we have come in. Ahead we can see the cliffs and the higher ground behind - all round us are ships. As I write the cruisers are moving out to a flank ready to open fire. Overhead we can hear the drone of the bombers and lower down we can see the fighters giving us cover. There are several fires ahead which shows that our bombing has struck something. So far as we know there has been no loss. The first gun has just gone and we are fairly launched. If only the sea was calmer it would be perfect, but as the tide turns that may happen. I will write a little later dear heart. JIM.