A Second War ‘Normandy, June 1944’ Immediate M.M. group of eleven awarded to Sergeant R. Hey, 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (3386258 Sjt. R. Hey. Durh. L.I.). ; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53 (3386258 W.O. Cl. 2. R. Hey. M.M. D.L.I.); U.N. Korea 1950-54; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (3386258 W.O. Cl. 2. R. Hey. M.M. D.L.I.); Cadet Forces Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue, with additional service bar (Lt. R. Hey MM CCF.) mounted as worn, very fine and better (11) £1,800-£2,200

M.M. London Gazette 31 August 1944.
The recommendation for an Immediate M.M. states: ‘On 14 June 1944 one and a half companies of the Battalion captured the village of Lingevres. Sergeant Hey’s platoon was ordered to occupy a ridge just forward of the village while the rest of the force was in a reverse slope position in rear. This platoon was attacked repeatedly for a period of seven hours and eventually had four tanks between them and the main position. The platoon did not waver at any time and continued to fight on when surrounded. This was largely due to Lieutenant Dunn, the platoon commander, and when he was killed, due to Sergeant Hey the platoon sergeant. He showed great personal courage and was an inspiration to the men in the platoon. By holding his platoon in this position he was largely responsible for enabling the rest of the force to hold on until relieved by another Battalion.’

Robert ‘Bob’ Hey was born in 1920 and enlisted into the East Lancashire Regiment at Blackburn on 3 March 1939. He transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers in December 1942, and to the Durham Light Infantry on 30 March 1943, serving with them in the Middle East and North Africa until 7 November 1943, when he returned Home. He served with the 9th Battalion in the North West Europe campaign from 3 June to 11 August, 1944. Transferring to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry in June 1949, he served with that regiment in East Africa, with the British Army of the Rhine, Korea and Japan until 28 May 1953, when he rejoined the Durham Light Infantry in Korea, serving there until 16 August 1953. He afterwards served with M.E.L.F. and at Home until 2 March 1961, when he was discharged in the rank of WO1 (R.S.M.) from the 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

An accompanying news cutting (undated) reporting his memorial service states: ‘Later he worked with the army cadets at Barnard Castle School for 23 years, and in semi-retirement he drove for Carters Cabs in the town. He lived at Dial House at Whorlton crossroads and later at Stainton Grove. He went to live at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, in 1990.

Sold with Regular Army Certificate of Service (confirming service medals), metal identity disc, various R.A.O.B. certificates and D.L.I. Association membership cards.