Lieutenant

John Ross Monro Hector

MiD (WW2)

Awards

Conflict: 
WW2
Additional Information: 

Son of Charles Monro Hector and of Janet Duff Hector (nee Ross), of Wellington City, New Zealand.

References:
  • CWGC
  • Cody (1961)
  • BDM Online
NZ WAR GRAVES

Biographical Notes:

“Hector then decided to complete the sweep he had had to break off in the morning along the western side of the gully. No live Germans were encountered until the patrol was almost home, when they were fired on from a drain hidden in the undergrowth and two sappers were killed. Sergeant Hultquist's diary carries the story on [Crete, returning from patrol near Maleme airfield - NZWGT]:‘We immediately jumped for available cover and commenced closing in on the position. Spr. Jefferies was our next casualty dropping with a hole drilled through his chest from side to side. I therefore appealed to Lt Hector for permission to clear the position with hand grenades but he decided to close in yet more—himself setting the example by stepping out from cover and entering the wheat field bordering Jerry's hide out, four of us following suit. A couple of tommy gun bursts from us were promptly retaliated by Jerry with a succession of grenades resembling a fireworks display as they burst around us. Mr Hector suddenly dropped mortally wounded and simultaneously Sprs Horsfall and Kennett were put out of action suffering a liberal splattering of surface wounds. … The diary note ends: ‘Mr Hector proved himself to be one of the most courageous and conscientious men it has ever been my privilege to associate with.’” Cody (1961)

Public Contributions:

Submitted by: Robert McLeod
Relationship to casualty: Amateur Historian
Before his death in Crete on 20 May 1941, Lt Hector was involved in covering the withdrawal of the ANZAC troops from Northern Greece. From the NZ Army History "To Greece": "The demolit... Read More

Personal Tributes:

Casualty

Service Number: 
20447
Name:
John Ross Monro Hector
Rank: 
Lieutenant
Date of Birth:
17 April 1913
Place of Birth:
Wellington, New Zealand
Next of Kin: 
Mrs J D Hector (mother), c/o New Zealand High Commissioner, London
Date of Enlistment:
Not known
Locality on Enlistment: 
c/o Public Works Department, Gisborne
Place of Enlistment: 
Gisborne, New Zealand
Marital Status:
Single
Occupation on Enlistment:
Civil Engineer
Employer:
Public Works Department, Gisborne
Unit:
New Zealand Engineers

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:
Killed in action
Date of Death:
20 May 1941
Day of Death:
Tuesday
Age at Death: 
28
Conflict: 
WW2

Embarkation Details

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery: 
Cemetery Reference: 
Face 13.
Cemetery Location: 
Greece
John Ross Monro Hector
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