“Hector then decided to complete the sweep he had had to break off in the morning along the western side of the gully. No live Germans were encountered until the patrol was almost home, when they were fired on from a drain hidden in the undergrowth and two sappers were killed. Sergeant Hultquist's diary carries the story on [Crete, returning from patrol near Maleme airfield - NZWGT]:‘We immediately jumped for available cover and commenced closing in on the position. Spr. Jefferies was our next casualty dropping with a hole drilled through his chest from side to side. I therefore appealed to Lt Hector for permission to clear the position with hand grenades but he decided to close in yet more—himself setting the example by stepping out from cover and entering the wheat field bordering Jerry's hide out, four of us following suit. A couple of tommy gun bursts from us were promptly retaliated by Jerry with a succession of grenades resembling a fireworks display as they burst around us. Mr Hector suddenly dropped mortally wounded and simultaneously Sprs Horsfall and Kennett were put out of action suffering a liberal splattering of surface wounds. … The diary note ends: ‘Mr Hector proved himself to be one of the most courageous and conscientious men it has ever been my privilege to associate with.’” Cody (1961)