Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Captain A. M. Hey, 7th (Service) Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, later Royal Air Force and West Riding Army Cadet Force, who was wounded in action on the Somme, 10 July 1916, and during the German Spring Offensive of 1918

British War and Victory Medals (Capt. A. M. Hey.); Defence Medal; Cadet Forces Medal, G.VI.R. (A/Capt. A. M. Hey.) mounted for wear, generally good very fine (4) £100-£140

Arthur Marsden Hey was born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire in January 1894. He studied Chemistry at Leeds University, and served as a Corporal in the Leeds University O.T.C. Hey was commissioned Temporary Second Lieutenant in the East Yorkshire Regiment in November 1915. He served with the 7th (Service) Battalion in the French theatre of war from 19 May 1916. Hey served with the Battalion as part of the 50th Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division on the Somme in July 1916.

Hey was wounded in action during the attack on Quadrangle Alley and Quadrangle Support, 10 July 1916. The Regimental History gives the following:

‘At 1pm the G.S.O. I, 17th Division, arrived at 7th Battalion H.Q. with orders for yet another attempt on Quadrangle Alley, Quadrangle Support, the left (western) end of Wood Support, and the south-west corner of Mametz Wood. This attack took place at 5.45pm, but was also unsuccessful. “All ranks,” records the Battalion Diary, “carried out their orders most gallantly, but all attacks failed.” Two more officers (Lieutenant E. Wing and 2nd Lieutenant Hey) had been wounded, and other rank casualties were about 140.’

The Regimental History also records Hey as being wounded during the German Spring Offensive of 1918, and as being one of 19 officers and 400 other ranks casualties suffered by the 7th Battalion between 21-31 March 1918.

Having advanced to Temporary Captain, Hey transferred to the Royal Air Force in September 1918. He was demobilised in January 1919, but re-engaged as Second Lieutenant in the West Riding Army Cadet Force, 25 November 1942. He advanced to Acting Captain in April 1945 (awarded Cadet Forces Medal in July 1951), and retired in 1959.