Hadland, Eric

Eric Charles Hadland was born in New Plymouth on 14 August 1920, the second son of labourer Charles Edward Hadland (1887-1953) and his wife Edna Maude Hadland (nee Christmas) (1887-1980).

Eric attended Central School and was working as a moulder, living at home with his parents and younger sister Evelyn on Gaine Street, when the Second World War broke out. His name appeared on the ballot list as soon as he turned 21 – along with 207 other men who were also called up – and he was sent to Trentham Military Camp in Upper Hutt for training in 1942. He served as a Gunner with the NZ Artillery Anti-Aircraft Regiment, undertaking garrison duty in the Pacific as part of N Force.

Eric’s father had served in France during the First World War and, despite being badly injured in a work accident in 1939, enlisted again in his fifties during the Second World War, being assigned to the local Home Guard. Eric’s mother Edna was a member of the New Plymouth Borough and Taranaki County Patriotic Committee which raised funds to buy “comforts” for soldiers, like playing cards and writing materials, and organised farewell parties for young men departing for camp or overseas.

Eric was awarded the War Medal 1939-1945 and the New Zealand War Service Medal upon his return. He married Jean Doreen Reed (1922-2018) on 25 August 1945 and the couple had four children: Kay, Pat, Michael and Joy. He worked as a watersider and lived in New Plymouth for the rest of his life.

Eric Hadland died at Taranaki Base Hospital on 4 January 2011 aged 90 and is buried in the services area of Awanui Cemetery alongside his wife.