M. Hargest

Notes:

New Zealand Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981 Year 1946
#4643 Hargest, Helen Mary; Rakauhauka, Spinster
#4644 Hargest, Kenneth James Wilkie, Rakauhauka, Farm Mang.
#4645 Hargest, Marie Henrietta, Rakauhauka, Widow


New Zealand Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981 Year 1949 Southland, Awarua
#4729 Hargest, Helen Mary; Rakauhauka, Spinster
#4730 Hargest, Kenneth James Wilkie, Rakauhauka, Farm Manager
#4731 Hargest, Marie Henrietta, Rakauhauka, Widow
#4732 Hargest, Sheila Stuart, Rakauhauka, Married

New Zealand Electoral Rolls, 1954 Southland, Awarua
#4904 Hargest, Kenneth James Wilkie, Rakauhauka, Farmer
#4905 Hargest, Sheila Stuart, Rakauhauka, Married

Found an article in the newspaper "The Southland Times, written by Kenneth James Wilkie Hargest, telling about the military career of his Father, his Mother's nursing years and that after 2 brothers were killed in wars, he remained on the Family Farm
I could not find a date on this article re Southland Times, so have chosen not to recopy here - for coypright reasons. Kenneth mentions his happy times of being married and raising 4 wonderful children as well hw 2019

Find a Grave Records
Woodlands Cemetery, Southland District, Southland, New Zealand
Marker reads:
21st Nov 1920 - 18 Sep 2010
Beloved Husband of Sheila
Location: 121.00 Block I

HARGEST, Kenneth James Wilkie
OccupationSheep Farmer
AddressInvercargill, formerly Rakauhauka
Date of Death2010-09-18
Age89 years
CemeteryWoodlands
Location of Grave121 Block I

Kenneth married Sheila Stuart in Unknown. Sheila was born about 1924; died on 13 Nov 2003; was buried in Woodlands Cemetery, Woodlands, Southland District, Southland, New Zealand. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Grave is shared with her husband Block 1, 121
HARGEST, Sheila Stuart
AddressRakauhauka
Date of Death2003-11-13
Age79 years
CemeteryWoodlands
Location of Grave121 Block I

Notes:

Woodland Cemetery New Zealand
New Zealand Cemetery Records 1800-2007:
Name: James Hargest, Brigadier
Ist & 2nd NZEF
Killed in Action Normandy 12 Aug 1944
Aged 53 years
9/286

Hargest, James
by J. A. B. Crawford
Biography
James Hargest, generally known as Jim or Jimmy, was born in Gore on 4 September 1891, the son of Mary Prosser and her husband, James Hargest, a labourer. He was educated at Gore and Mandeville schools, before joining his father farming at Mandeville in central Southland. In February 1911 Hargest joined the Territorial Force. He volunteered for service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on 12 August 1914 and the following month was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Otago Mounted Rifles Regiment. He was seriously wounded at Gallipoli in early August 1915. After months of medical treatment and rest, Hargest joined the 1st Battalion of the Otago Infantry Regiment in France in July 1916. He quickly emerged as one of his unit's most promising officers. By the end of 1916 he had attained the temporary rank of major and been awarded the Military Cross.

At Christchurch, Hampshire, on 29 September 1917, Jim Hargest married Marie Henrietta Wilkie, a theatre sister serving at the New Zealand military hospital at Brockenhurst. Their happy marriage produced a family of three sons and one daughter. In September 1918 Hargest was given command of the 2nd Battalion of the Otago Infantry Regiment, which he led with distinction for the rest of the war. An exceptionally capable battalion commander, he combined personal bravery, tactical flair and great organising ability. He was made a DSO, mentioned in dispatches and awarded the Croix de chevalier, Légion d'honneur. Marie Hargest was awarded the Royal Red Cross, second class, and mentioned in dispatches. The couple returned to New Zealand in May 1919.

Shortly after his return, Hargest purchased a farm at Rakauhauka, near Invercargill. He continued his involvement in the Territorial Force, rising to command the 3rd New Zealand Infantry Brigade between 1925 and 1930. In 1931 he narrowly succeeded in taking the Invercargill parliamentary seat for the coalition government. Four years later he switched to the rural Southland seat of Awarua, which he held until his death. Hargest took a significant part in debate on both Southland and national issues, and after the founding of the New Zealand National Party in 1936 he emerged as one of its leading figures.

When the Second World War broke out Hargest sought a senior post in the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. A special medical board, however, determined that he was fit only for service in New Zealand because of the continuing effects of the shell-shock he had suffered in 1918. Hargest was devastated by this decision and asked Peter Fraser, the acting prime minister (with whom he was on good terms), to ensure that he was given command of one of the force's brigades. Fraser complied, in spite of the opposition of his military advisers. In March 1940 Hargest was given command of 5th New Zealand Infantry Brigade, and in May he was promoted to brigadier and sailed for Egypt.

Hargest and his brigade distinguished themselves during the Greek campaign of April 1941 with their successful delaying action at Olympus Pass. On Crete 5th Brigade was responsible for defending Maleme airfield and its environs. Hargest was strangely inactive during the vital early stages of the battle for Crete and must bear a large measure of responsibility for the loss of Maleme airfield and thus, ultimately, for the loss of the island. He performed with more credit during the latter stages of the battle.

Hargest was dissatisfied with the performance during the campaign of Major General Bernard Freyberg, commander of the New Zealand Division; when he returned to Egypt he criticised him during a private meeting with Prime Minister Fraser. Freyberg was hurt by Hargest's actions, but none the less addressed some of his concerns. At this time little was known about Hargest's role in the loss of Maleme airfield, and he received a bar to the DSO and the Greek Military Cross (first class) for his services in Greece and Crete.

After its evacuation to Egypt, the New Zealand Division took part in the campaign to relieve Tobruk, in Libya. Hargest was captured on 27 November 1941, when his headquarters was overrun. He was taken to Italy, where he was incarcerated in a special high-security camp for senior Allied officers in a castle near Florence. In March 1943 Hargest and another New Zealand brigadier, Reginald Miles, along with four other officers, managed to escape by tunnelling under the castle walls. The New Zealanders were the only members of the group to reach Switzerland and they both received bars to the DSO in recognition of their 'splendid achievement in escaping'. Hargest was also later made a CBE. Late in 1943 he travelled across occupied France and into Spain with the assistance of the French Resistance. He then flew to England, where he wrote his classic account of the escape, Farewell Campo 12.

At his own suggestion, Hargest was appointed New Zealand's observer with the Allied armies preparing to invade France. He was attached to the British 50th Division, which landed in Normandy on D-Day. Hargest spent a great deal of time near the front line and wrote perceptive reports on the campaign. Wounded in June, Hargest was killed by shell fire on 12 August 1944. He was survived by his wife and three children. One son had been killed in action earlier in the year. He is commemorated in James Hargest High School in Invercargill.

James Hargest was a popular figure with a 'frank and friendly' manner whose death was regarded as a serious loss to the nation. He 'presented himself as a blunt, no-nonsense farmer' and had a farmer's love of the land. In combat Hargest usually displayed a cold assurance and as a soldier he valued steadiness and endurance above strategic flair. However, he lacked insight into his own strengths and weaknesses, and it seems this failing drove him to use his personal contacts to get command of a brigade in 1940 '96 a post for which he was unfit. Hargest's experiences in prison and during his escape seem to have given him more insight. Shortly before D-Day he wrote to his wife that when the war was over she would 'I hope find me a better husband than before. I seem to have learned so much and I truly have never been embittered by any experience. Life is still very wonderful to contemplate'.

Source: J. A. B. Crawford. 'Hargest, James', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1998. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/4h16/hargest-james (accessed 12 April 2019)

James married Maria Henrietta Wilkie on 29 Sep 1917 in Christchurch, Hampshire, England. Maria (daughter of William Dick Wilkie and Jane Henrietta Read) was born in 1883 in , , , New Zealand; died on 20 Jul 1962 in Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand; was buried in Woodlands Cemetery, Woodlands, Southland District, Southland, New Zealand. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

New Zealand Civil Records Indexes:
Name: Marie Henrietta Wilkie
Birth Date: 1883
Place: New Zealand
Father's Name: William Dick Wilkie
Mother's Name: Jane Henrietta Wilkie
Registration Number: 1883/14372


Attestation Papers - Marie Henrietta Wilkie (Military File)
Name: Marie Henrietta Wilkie
Birthplace: Allanton, Otago
Birthdate: 08 Nov 1883
Trade: Nurse
Last employer: Dunedin Hospital
Member of New Zealand Army Nursing Service (NZANS) Corps
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Registration #: 22/48
The above nurse is now married - her name being Mrs, Hargest, M. H. - File under maiden name of Wilkie, M. H.
Date of Discharge: 15 -12- 17
Marie received the Royal Red Cross 2nd class medal and service medals 1914, 1915 star
She served in Egypt
On one military record - Next of Kin is noted as W. D. Wilkie (William Dick Wilkie)
Date of Attestation: 26 - 3- 15


Probate Will of Maria's Mother, Jane Henrietta (Read) Wilkie; Daughter Maria's Married Name was Hargest, she was a widow at this time and residing in Invercargill New Zealand.

Jane Henrietta Wilkie and her husband William Dick Wilkie lived in Mosgiel, where William was a labourer, but latterly lived in Waimate, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Probate of Maria Henrietta Hargest - widow of Invercargill, New Zealand
Names her Son - Kenneth James Wilkie Hargest
Her Daughter in Law - Sheila Stuart Hargest
Daughter - Helen Mary Hargest

Maria Henrietta (Wilkie) Hargest was shareholder of shares in The Southland Frozen Meat and Produce Export Co Ltd

New Zealand Cemetery Records 1800-2007
30. In memory of Marie Henrietta Hargest, NZANS (of Rakauhauka) died 20 Jul 1962.
Also interred in the plot are: Brigadier James Hargest (her husband)
Their Sons: Lieut. Geoffery Robert Hargest and Lieut Peter Miles Hargest

Newspaper articles found:
photo 1917 of Maria H. Wilkie - in Nursing attire - received her Red Cross Medal

Marriage of Maria Henrietta Wilkie to Mr Hargest - Southland Times, Page 5, Col 1 - 02 Nov 1917

Notes:

Married:

Source: England & Wales Civil Registration Marriage Index 1916-2005
Year 1917 Q3
Hargest, James & Wilkie - Christchurch 2b 1515

J. married M. Prosser. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

William Dick Wilkie born abt 1855


1861 Scotland Census, Roll CSSCT1861_58, Household 66, line 8, Kinglassie, South Walkerton, Age 7

In 1871, Scotland Census, Kinglassie, 440, Line 10, Roll CSSC1871_75; Household 65
William Dick Wilkie, Head, Male, Age 55, Birthpl Aberdour, Fife, Occ Caster
Margaret Fraser, Wife, Female, Age 52
Charlotte Wilkie, Dtr, Female, Age 18, Occ Linen Beater
John F. Wilkie, Son, Male, Age 13, Occ Farm Bleacher
William L. Wilkie, Son, Male, Age 15, Occ Farm Bleacher ***
Charles Wilkie, Son, Male, Age 11, Scholar
Janet Ogilvie , Female, Mother in Law, Age 76

***Seems the initial is 'L' on this enumeration, is this a mistake in transcription or recording?

New Zealand Electoral Rolls, 1911 Otago, Chalmers
#6918 Wilkie, Madeline, Allanton Married
#6919 Wilkie, Peter Fraser, Allanton, Shepherd
#6914 Wilkie, Christina, Mosgiel, Married
#6915 Wilkie, James Elma Grove East Taieri, Farm Labourer
#6916 Wilkie, Jane Henrietta Gordon Road Mosgiel, Married **
#6917 Wilkie, Jessie, Gordon Road, Mosgiel, Spinster
#6920 Wilkie, William Dick Mosgiel, Gardner **


New Zealand Electoral Rolls 1928 Otago Waitaki
#7844 Jane Henrietta Wilkie Manse Street, Waimate Married
#7845 Rebecca Wilkie Manse Street, Waimate Spinster
#7846 William Dick Wilkie Manse St Waimate Gardner

Cemetery Records, Old Waimate Cemetery, South Canterbury, New Zealand

William married Jane Henrietta Read in 1880 in , , , New Zealand. Jane was born about 1859 in Victoria, , Australia; died on 3 Aug 1948 in Waimate, Canterbury, New Zealand. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

New Zealand Electoral Rolls, 1911 Otago, Chalmers
#6918 Wilkie, Madeline, Allanton Married
#6919 Wilkie, Peter Fraser, Allanton, Shepherd
#6914 Wilkie, Christina, Mosgiel, Married
#6915 Wilkie, James Elma Grove East Taieri, Farm Labourer
#6916 Wilkie, Jane Henrietta Gordon Road Mosgiel, Married
#6917 Wilkie, Jessie, Gordon Road, Mosgiel, Spinster
#6920 Wilkie, William Dick Mosgiel, Gardner


Probate of her estate
Names Son William Dick Wilkie (the Younger) and Daughter Maria Henrietta as her executors; however her Son, William Dick Wilkie - the younger predeceased her on 21 Dec 1947

Her Daughter Maria Henrietta - married name Hargest - but a widow at time of her Mother's Death


Old Waimate Cemetery, Waimate, Canterbury, New Zealand
Name: Wilkie, Jane Henrietta
Age 84 years
Date of Death: 03 Aug 1948
Cemetery: Waimate Old
Area: New Anglican
Plot #: 000084

Notes:

Married:
Free BMD Index, govt - New Zealand internet site
1880/1945 Jane Henrietta Read married William Dick Wilkie

New Zealand Civil Records Indexes:
Name: William Dick Wilkie
Marriage Date: 1880
Place: New Zealand
Sex: Male
Spouses' Name: Jane Henrietta Read
Sex: Female
Registration Number: 1880/1945