TWO NELSONIANS DECORATED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 5 January 1945, Page 4

TWO NELSONIANS DECORATED

MAJOR A. G. HAYfER’S M.C

IMMEDIATE AWARD IN BURMA

The citation has been received covering the immediate award of the Military Cross last November to Major A. G. Hayter, of the 2nd Gurkha Rifles, South-East Asia Command. Burma. Major Hayter # who is an old boy of Nelson College, and a brother of Squadron Leader J. C. F. Hayter, D.F.C., is the son of Mr and Mrs G. G. Hayter, Rocklands, Takaka.

The citation to Major Hayfer’g award stated: “It was the task of B Company under command of Major Hayter to capture the feature Tiger about 500 yards north of Pt. 14:33. the main objective on the Mayu Range. Having established one platoon on the feature Horse. 200 yards north of Tiger. Major Hayter skilfully moved (he remaining two platoons through the thick jungle up the steep hillside, then formed them up. unheard by the enemy, in positions east of the objective by 4 a.m. on September 8.

“At 5 a.m. the assault was launched. As control was almost impossible. Major Hayter accompanied one platoon, portions of which arrived with him inside the enemy defences on Tiger. Several men were killed and wounded by heavy enemy small arms and grenade tire. Seizing a Bren from a wounded man. Major Hayter engaged a bunker at a few yards’ range and kept down the fire from it till his gun jammed. Three enemy grenades burst within a few feet of him. ’He then decided to withdraw the survivors of the platoon to reorganize. Shortly afterward, his second platoon got into the enemy defences and tliougn wounded and having only nine men with him. -Major Hayter again attacked. Enemy grenade and small arms fire from all sides was very heavy and Major Hayter was again wounded. His second platoon was forced out o.f the position and so he Withdrew with his small party. Not till he had ’reorganized ihe remnants of the two assault platoons east of the Horse and successfully repelled the counter-at-tack which he had anticipated, did Major Hayter report to Battalion Tao. H.Q.. where he was sent to the regimental aid “Throughout the action. Major Hayter displayed courage initiative, determination and leadership of the highest order.” Tt was (lie 2nd Gurkha Regiment which refused to be relieved throughout the monsoon Tt is with the 14th (“the Forgotten ) Army.