A fine Second War 'Italian operations' M.C. and Second Award Bar group of seven awarded to...

A fine Second War ‘Italian operations’ M.C. and Second Award Bar group of seven awarded to Major R. E. H. Hadingham, C.B.E., Royal Artillery, who was originally recommended for an Immediate D.S.O., and was later Chairman of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon

Military Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1944, with Second Award Bar, the reverse officially dated 1944; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 copy clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Territorial, reverse officially dated 1951, with integral top riband bar, mounted for wear, good very fine and better (7) £1,600-£2,000

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C.B.E. (Civil) London Gazette 31 December 1987: Reginald Edward Hawke Hadingham, O.B.E., M.C., T.D., Chairman, All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

O.B.E. (Civil) London Gazette 1 January 1971: Reginald Edward Hawke Hadingham, M.C., T.D., Marketing Director, Slazengers Ltd., Croydon.
‘For services to Export.’

M.C. London Gazette 27 January 1944:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’

The original Recommendation, for an Immediate M.C., states: ‘On 11 September 1943, at about 2000 hours, a strong enemy infantry and tank attack developed in the St Lucia-Fosse area south of Battipaglia. As the attack developed our forward troops were forced to withdraw, but by 2100 hours Major Hadingham had so successfully organised a new area of Anti-Tank defence, assisted by a small force of infantry, that the enemy’s thrust was stopped. Later he led this party forward under small arms and machine gun fire and although unsuccessful in recapturing all the lost ground, was largely responsible in forming a sound and firm base only some half mile in the rear of our original position. It was by the personal courage, skilful leadership, and determination of Major Hadingham that the enemy’s advance in this area was stopped and what might of been a very critical situation averted.’

M.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 4 May 1944:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’

The original Recommendation, for an Immediate D.S.O., states: ‘On 20 January 1944 Major Hadingham was informed that enemy tanks were moving towards Lorenzo. Accompanied by his Battery Sergeant Major, Major Hadingham at once moved forward to this village which appeared to deserted, except for one British soldier. On looking round the corner Major Hadingham saw one German tank accompanied by about 12 infantry men about 150 yards away, and all advancing towards him. He borrowed the British soldier’s Bren gun and opened fire on the German infantry, but the Bren gun refuse to discharge more than one round. Major Hadingham withdrew, remedied the faulty Bren gun, took up a new fire position and discharged a magazine at the tank’s escort. He then took cover from the burst of enemy fire to which his action gave rise.
Entering a house, he and the late Battery Sergeant Major Raison took post on a balcony, deciding to throw grenades at the tank and escort should they continue their advance. While thus in ambush British tanks entered the village. Major Hadingham left the balcony with a view to finding out what the enemy was doing. Looking around the corner, he saw that the German tank crew and escort were in conference. Major Hadingham ran back to the British tank, explained the situation to them, and suggested that they should attack. He then left this sector of the battlefield in their charge.
Major Hadingham now took command of about 12 infantry men who he saw advancing up the street. Having explained the situation and outlined his plan to them all, he made a flanking movement of some 200 yards, and crawling up behind a long pile of stones, saw that the German tank had just completed reversing. He and his infantry deployed and opened fire which coincided with the commencement of the withdrawal of the tank and its escort. The British fire was returned, but such was its intensity that the German infantry escort became separated from their tank and were immobilised. As the tank retreated, that part of its escort which had become separated made a dash, one by one, to gain the protection of the tank. At least five Germans were hit by the British small arms fire as they ran for safety, which they did in preference to surrendering themselves.
Major Hadingham showed a quickness of decision, a disregard of danger, and an offensiveness of spirit which is rarely equalled. This, combined with his enthusiastic confidence, his military skill, and his dynamic personality show him to be a leader of the highest order. His action in Lorenzo, in my opinion, prevented this village falling into enemy hands.’

T.D. London Gazette 28 December 1951.

Reginald Edward Hawke Hadingham, known as ‘Buzzer’ Hadingham, was born in the Hague, Holland, on 6 December 1915, where his father, an Officer in the Hawke Battalion, Royal Naval Reserve, had been interned (but allowed to have his wife with him), and was educated at St. Paul’s School, London. Upon leaving school he joined the sporting goods company Slazenger, where his father was the Managing Director.

Hadingham enlisted in the Territorial Army in January 1939, as a Gunner in the 57th Anti-Tank Royal Artillery T.A., transferring five months later to the 67th (East Surrey) Anti-Tank Regiment, and was commissioned on 29 July 1939. Following home service Hadingham headed, in November 1942, for Iraq where his regiment trained for desert warfare and river crossings, and thence, in March 1943, undertook a 3,200 mile journey to Libya, before fighting in the final stages of the Tunisian Campaign, and the surrender of the Afrike Korps on 13 May 1943. On 4 September 1943 the regiment embarked to Salerno for the invasion of Italy. A week later Hadingham saw action that resulted in his award of the Military Cross, for successfully organising an Anti-Tank defence, that stopped the advance of, and repelled, the enemy infantry and tank attack. In the push up through Italy, further action took place at the River Garigliano, and on 5 March 1944 Hadingham distinguished himself leading the attack on a German tank and infantry soldiers, in the village of Lorenzo, for which services he was awarded a Second Award Bar to his Military Cross - the original recommendation had been for the immediate award of a Distinguished Service Order. He saw further action at Anzio, Gemmano, and San Marino, and was disembodied with the rank of Major.

Post-War, Hadingham resumed his career at Slazenger, succeeding his father as Managing Director, and was ultimately appointed Chairman. In 1971 was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to Export, and whilst at Slazenger he greatly expanded the number of professional sportsmen on their books. A keen tennis player, he was also a member of the All England Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon, and was appointed Chairman of the Club 1982; under his watch the annual Championships were much modernised to ensure it kept its place as the premier tournament in the tennis world. He was particularly noted for his ‘firm but fair’ approach, writing to the American player John McEnroe before the 1987 Championships: ‘My advice is that, whatever you may think of a linesman’s or umpire’s call, please keep your cool.’ For his services at Wimbledon he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1988 New Year’s Honours’ List. He died in London on 27 December 2004.

Sold with the original Bestowal Documents for both the C.B.E. and O.B.E., both in Central Chancery transmission envelopes; a copy of the Statutes of the Order; a book ...