Issue 8                     January 2008

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Leonard Dunbar Hagger

Leonard was awarded the Military Cross on 1st March 1945 following his actions on 6th August 1944.  The wording of the recommendation is given below and was signed by Field Marshall Montgomery.

But who was Leonard?  If you know please contact Peter as he would be delighted to know  more about Leonard.

“On the evening of 6 Aug 44 Major Hagger's Sqn was supporting 2 Warwick on the high ground South of Presles.  Just as a heavy enemy attack, estimated at Bn strength was coming in, a hail of Nebelworfer bombs landed in the middle of Inf HQ.  Major Hagger, who was close by, made his way back to his Sqn unharmed though dazed by the shock.  A critical situation developed owing to the necessary withdrawal of one Coy on Inf with the result that the enemy Inf reached a point within 50 yds of Major Hagger's tanks, and brought fire to bear on them with anti-tank projectors.  During this attack and two subsequent ones Major Hagger went round from troop to troop with the greatest coolness and bravery, reorganising tps where tp ldr has become a casualty.  Much of this work was done on foot under heavy fire.  Major Hagger's courage and skill at a time when the situation of  the inf was extremely precarious was a great inspiration both to the Inf and to his own men, and was in large measure responsible for the position being held against heavy opposition.”

DNA Project

Towards the end of last year we were contacted by Paul Hagger who descended from a Hagger branch which we had come across when transcribing entries from The Times database.  With a lot of input from Paul and some additional input from Martin Hagger (see hagger.org) we now have Paul’s family going back to William Hagger of Kelshall marrying Elizabeth Groom at Therfield in 1776.  Paul volunteered to join the DNA Project and his test results are show on the results page, as you can see Paul’s results show he is likely to related to most of us for whom we have results.  In fact in recent weeks various bits of the jigsaw are fitting in place to prove a relationship to a number of us.

This is a picture of Edward Hagger born in 1814 and Paul’s Great Great Grandfather.  Edward continued the family business of an Italian Warehouse and Oilman started by his father Edward in Lambs Conduit Street in London,

On Page 2:

Therfield Hagger gathering 8th March 2008

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