Ronald Hassett

Major General Ronald Douglas Patrick Hassett, CB, CBE (27 May 1923 – 13 August 2004) was a senior officer in the New Zealand Army in the postwar period.

[2][3] Promoted to captain, Hassett was subsequently posted to the staff of the commander of the New Zealand divisional artillery, Brigadier Ray Queree.

[4] When the prospect of the formation of an air observation post unit was proposed in early 1945 for the 2nd New Zealand Division, Hassett was nominated to be its first commander.

[3] After the war, Hassett attended a senior staff college in the Middle East and then served at the rear headquarters of the 2NZEF at Caserta in Italy.

The Korean War was in progress at the time and in due course he was sent to Korea as second-in-command of the 16th Field Regiment, the main component of Kayforce.

[3] In 1955, Hassett was posted to Linton Military Camp, to serve as the brigade major of the divisional artillery followed by a role at the headquarters of the New Zealand Army in Wellington.

Appointed Deputy Quartermaster-General in 1966, he worked towards ensuring the supply and equipment of the New Zealand troops serving in the Vietnam War.

[3] He also remained heavily involved in the Army Memorial Museum, being president of its Executive Management Committee from 1992 to 1996, and overseeing its expansion through the construction of the Kippenberger Pavilion.