Frederick Melrose Horowhenua Hanson
| Frederick Melrose Horowhenua Hanson | |
|---|---|
| Born |
9 July 1895 Levin, New Zealand |
| Died |
15 July 1979 (aged 84) Wellington, New Zealand |
| Allegiance |
 New Zealand |
| Service/branch |
 New Zealand Military Forces |
| Rank | Brigadier |
| Battles/wars |
First World War Second World War |
| Awards |
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Distinguished Service Order & bar Military Medal Officer of the Order of the British Empire |
Frederick Melrose Horowhenua Hanson CMG DSO OBE MM (9 July 1895 – 15 July 1979) was a New Zealand soldier, engineer, military leader and public servant.
Early life
Born in Levin, in the Horowhenua District, New Zealand on 9 July 1895, Frederick Melrose Horowhenua Hanson was the son of a farmer, also called Frederick Hanson, and his wife, Eliza Elizabeth Tantrum. He was educated locally and won a scholarship to Wellington College where he excelled both in his studies and sports. He participated in Wellington College's cadet program and in 1914 was commissioned in the Territorial Force as a second lieutenant.[1]
In 1915, Hanson sat and passed the entrance examination for the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in Australia, which set aside a limited number of enrolments for New Zealanders. He duly entered Duntroon but misled authorities as to his age. Although academically successful, misconduct resulted in his expulsion from Duntroon in October 1917.[1]
First World War
Returning to New Zealand, Hanson volunteered for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) for service in the First World War. He was posted to the Wellington Infantry Regiment, then serving on the Western Front. He soon attained the rank of sergeant and, for his gallantry in an action that took place in September 1918, was awarded the Military Medal. After the war, he was part of a team of NZEF personnel that toured the United Kingdom playing rugby. He eventually returned to New Zealand in September 1919.[1]
Interwar period
Hanson returned to civilian life by becoming a qualified surveyor. He remained in the Territorial Force and was promoted to lieutenant soon after arriving back in New Zealand. He was moved to the reserve of officers in 1922 and eventually was placed on the retired list in 1930. In the meantime, he had joined the Public Works Department. He worked on hydroelectric projects for a time and moved into roading. In the 1930s, he developed a road sealing technique that remains in widespread use. He was later an engineer for the Main Highways Board.[1]
Second World War
Hanson enlisted in the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF) following the outbreak of the Second World War. In January 1940, with the rank of major, he was posted to command of 7th Field Company, Royal Engineers, for which officers and non-commissioned officers began a period of training at Narrow Neck Camp, in Auckland, before the main body of the company arrived at Papakura Military Camp to the south of Auckland.[2] With training complete by late April 1940, 7th Field Company left New Zealand aboard the Aquitania, destined, with other units of the 2nd Echelon, for Egypt to join the First Echelon of 2NZEF, where it was intended that the 2nd New Zealand Division. However, the 2nd Echelon was diverted en route to England following the threat of a German invasion.[3] Here Hanson's company carried out training and guard duties in the area around Dover before being shipped to Egypt in early 1941.[4]
Within a matter of weeks, the the 2nd New Zealand Division, was in Greece and manning defences on the Aliakmon Line[5] in preparation for the anticipated invasion of the country by the Germans.[6] During the subsequent retreat of the Allies following the commencement of the German advance into Greece, his command was often involved in delaying tactics through the destruction of strategic points.[1]
After the end of the campaign in Greece, most of the 2nd New Zealand Division, including Hanson, was evacuated to Crete. Here, Hanson was appointed the temporary Commander, Royal Engineers, for the division.[1]
Later life
In 1946, Hanson returned to the Main Highways Board, this time as its chief engineer. He worked towards the implementation of legalisation that re-organised the Main Highways Board into the National Roads Board, and was appointed its first chairman. In 1955, he was appointed to the senior position at the Ministry of Works, the Commissioner of Works, having spent the previous four years as Deputy Commissioner. His ministry, which employed almost 4,500 people, played an important role in the economic resurrection of New Zealand following the Second World War, with several major developments relating to hydroelectric schemes. He also served a term on the Army Board, from 1952 to 1955 and was president of the New Zealand Institution of Engineers for two years.[1]
Hanson retired from the Ministry of Works in December 1961[1] but not before being recognised for his public services with an appointment as a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.[7] He died on 15 July 1979. He was survived by his wife, Margaret Constance Grindley, who he had married in 1924. The couple had no children.[1]
Notes
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Crawford, J. A. B. "Frederick Melrose Horowhenua Hanson". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- ↑ Cody 1961, pp. 18–19.
- ↑ McClymont 1959, pp. 25–30.
- ↑ McClymont 1959, p. 42.
- ↑ McClymont 1959, p. 142.
- ↑ McClymont 1959, p. 119.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 42372. p. 4183. 2 June 1961. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
References
- Cody, J. F. (1961). New Zealand Engineers, Middle East. Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45. Wellington, New Zealand: Historical Publications Branch.
- McClymont, W. G. (1959). To Greece. Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45. Wellington, New Zealand: War History Branch. OCLC 4373298.