Alfred Clive Hulme (January 24 1911-September 2 1982) was a New Zealander recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was 30 years old, and a Sergeant in the 23rd Bn., 2nd N.Z.E.F. (The Canterbury Regiment) , New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

During the period 20/28 May 1941 in Crete, Greece, Sergeant Hulme displayed outstanding leadership and courage. At Maleme he led a party against the enemy who were attacking with rifles, machine-guns and mortars. At Galatos he drove the enemy away from a school building with hand grenades. At Suda Bay he killed five snipers and at Styles he wiped out a mortar crew and accounted for three more snipers.

Further information

Hulme was born in Dunedin, New Zealand and worked as a farm labourer before he enlisted in the 23rd Battalion as a sergeant. He stalked and killed 33 German snipers. Hulme once disguised himself as a German paratrooper and killed a number of enemies on the outskirts of Galatos .

His son Denis Clive Hulme was a Formula One champion.

Clive Hulme died at Te Puke on September 2 1982, and was buried in the same location.

Grave/memorial at Buried at The Dudley Cemetery, Vercre Drive, Te Puke (20 miles from Tauranga), New Zealand. Civilian Section.

credit - QEII Army Memorial Museum

From the book Tribe of the War God, Taylor (1996).

Back row, Left to Right: Col. L.W. Andrew, Maj. R.S. Judson , Pte. J.D. Crichton , Lt. H.J. Laurent , Lt. C.R.G. Bassett

Front row, Stg. J.D. Hinton , Lt. K. Elliott, Cpt. C.H. Upham, Stg. A.C. Hulme, Cpt. S. Frickleton , Lt. J.G. Grant

(Submitted by Todd Skilton, 3 Nov 1999)