Sergeant R. V. Haste, MM; Petone; born Lower Hutt, 21 Jun 1921; foreman. (Source: Murphy, W.E. 2nd NZ Divisional Artillery. p.650.)

'The attack was not a complete success; but it gained valuable ground and, with this as a lever, the enemy was forced back to a new line based on the River Uso. For Captain Donaldson, commander of F Troop of the 5th Field, and his jeep driver, Gunner Haste, the attack was the beginning of a two-day ordeal. They drove at the heels of the infantry in the only unarmoured vehicle in the attack. Several times the jeep got off the track in the dark, but Haste's good driving and his disregard of the heavy machine-gun and mortar fire through which he had to pass enabled the OP to give timely support to 25 Battalion. Donaldson brought down fire several times in the night and next day was aggressive and skilful in helping the infantry to consolidate their gains. Haste also operated the wireless set and therefore, like Donaldson, had to be on the alert 24 hours a day. They made a splendid team and Donaldson was awarded an MC and Haste an MM, both of them ‘immediate’. ' (Source: Murphy, W.E. 2nd NZ Divisional Artillery. p. 650.) AWMM