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	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 North African Campaign Battle of Crete Italian Campaign
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
1963–1966	34th	Wairarapa		National
1966–1969	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

• Donald, Haddon (2005). In Peace and War: A Civilian Soldier's Story. Masterton: Fraser Books. ISBN 0958252165. Retrieved 17 June 2015.

Notes

1. Gustafson 1986, p. 308.
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

• Donald, Haddon (2005). In Peace and War: A Civilian Soldier's Story'. Masterton: Fraser Books. ISBN 0-9582521-6-5.
• Gustafson, Barry (1986). The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party. Auckland: Reed Methuen. ISBN 0-474-00177-6.
• Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand parliamentary record, 1840–1984 (4 ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.

External links

• "Haddon Donald describes defending Maleme airfield, Crete". New Zealand History online. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 15 July 2013.