WO I D. J. Farmer, MM; Waiouru Military Camp; born Wanganui, 3 Oct 1913; Regular soldier. (Source: Cody, J.F. 21 Battalion. p.179.)

'Captain Marshall, after being originally on the left flank, was now digging in on the right flank near A Company 23 Battalion, where he was joined by Lieutenants Shaw and Horrocks with portions of their platoons, plus stragglers from practically every other battalion in the attack—in all about eighty strong.

The next arrivals in the area were Lieutenant Rogers, his runner (Private Alec Niven), RSM Jack Farmer, and a few more men of 23 Battalion. They had dug in on what they thought was the objective. At daylight enemy fire from the rear swept the position, and during a lull the party dashed to a wadi further forward. Some trucks were parked there, among them two captured portées complete with two-pounders. Sergeant-Major Farmer describes how he became an anti-tank gunner:

I thought it would be a good idea to have a truck in case we had to make a quick get-away, and that the anti-tank gun might come in handy. The first one had a dead German propped behind the steering wheel, but the other started at the second attempt, so I drove it to where we were consolidating. Lieut Rogers was elected gunner, Jack Niven the crew, and I appointed myself driver and ammunition wallah. Lieut Cameron had about a section strength of 23 Bn with him, and they were keen to clean up some of the remaining Italian posts in front of us so we thought we would scare them with our two-pounder before the boys went out. We backed the portée up to a hull down position on the side of the wadi and fired a few rounds. They had the desired effect, and the Ities came out and surrendered to the section. WO I D. J. Farmer, MM; Waiouru Military Camp; born Wanganui, 3 Oct 1913; Regular soldier.; 23 Battalion - Some infantry and other enemy posts remained occupied. Supported by fire from a captured anti-tank gun, manned by Lieutenant Rogers and Sergeant-Major Farmer of the 21st, Cameron and his men attacked the nearest of these posts and took about thirty prisoners. They were sent along the ridge to be evacuated by 4 Brigade, with which contact had been made.

Later in the morning, Brigadier J. T. Burrows, commanding 4 Brigade, sent word to Norris to contact the Indians to the east. Lieutenant Cameron was sent on this errand but found enemy still holding out between the New Zealanders and the Indians. Cameron was badly wounded but his runner returned with the news.' (Source: Cody, J.F. 21 Battalion. p. 179.; Ross, A. 23 Battalion. p. 176.) AWMM