Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War 1945 ‘immediate’ North West Europe M.M. group of six awarded to Bombardier J. Heckles, 65th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery (Norfolk Yeomanry) for ‘his outstanding determination, initiative and power of command he was entirely responsible for knocking out an enemy SP gun at a range of 40 yards, a MG and detachment, and for killing at least 10 other Germans, some within 20 feet of his gun’, near Wahrendorf, Germany, 26 April 1945

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (1438940 Bmbr. J. Heckles. R.A.) with named card box of issue; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, campaign medals with card box of issue addressed to ‘Mr. J. Heckles, 207 Church Rd, Mitcham, Surrey’, nearly extremely fine (6) £800-£1,200

M.M. London Gazette 12 July 1945:

‘On the 26th April 1945 at a road junction in the village of Wahrendorf Bdr Heckles was commanding a section of SP 17 pr A Tk guns in support of ‘B’ Coy, 2nd Bn. Devons.

At about 0230 hrs the enemy attacked in force supported by SP guns, enemy infantry infiltrated to the centre of the company area and the section was under heavy SA fire from a range of 30 feet.

Bdr Heckles gun was bazookered and immobilised from a range of 20 feet and his layer was wounded; shortly afterwards the other gun of the section was also bazookered, and the W/T mast shot away, luckily neither gun was put out of action.

The position which was completely surrounded was relieved at 0830 hrs.

Throughout this long and heavy engagement, half of which took place in darkness or half light, Bdr Heckles entirely on his own controlled the fire of his section for some time by voice control and by judicious use of his guns, Brownings, Stens and grenades, inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and effectively prevented them from gaining control of the road junction; by his outstanding determination, initiative and power of command he was entirely responsible for knocking out an enemy SP gun at a range of 40 yards, a MG and detachment, and for killing at least 10 other Germans, some within 20 feet of his gun.’

John Heckles served during the Second War with the 65th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery (Norfolk Yeomanry) as part of the 7th Armoured Division, 12th Corps.