My Grandad was a Senior NCO with the British Army and frequently found himself within the Officer's inner circle. My grandfather, Warrant Officer Class I RSM R. H. Kitson - Advanced H.Q. - 26th Indian Divisional Signals (26th Indian Infantry Division). He knew Major Hoey and was quite fond of him. He told me a few stories relating to the character of this man. In generally terms he didn't particularly like very many British Officers - but this Canadian stood out from the crowd in his mind.
When it came time Major Hoey did what he had to do.
There are no words... Other than
Thank You
Charles Ferguson Hoey was a Canadian. He was 29 years old, and a Temporary Major in the 1st Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment, during the Second World War. He went to England in April 1933 with the intention of making the army his career. He first enlisted in the West Kent Regiment, won a cadetship to the Royal Military College at Sandhurst and went there in September 1935. He graduated from Sandhurst in December 1936 and, after a brief visit home to Duncan, British Columbia joined the 2nd Battalion, the Lincolnshire Regiment. He transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Lincolnshires, and sailed to India in September 1937. He went to Burma with the 1st Battalion in 1942 and served there until his death in February 1944. He was awarded the Military Cross in July 1943 for his outstanding service at Maungdaw during a raid on a Japanese position. On 16 February 1944 near the Ngakyedauk Pass, Arakan, Burma (now Myanmar), Major Hoey's company came under devastating machine-gun fire, but Major Hoey did not waver in his advance on the objective. Although wounded in the head and leg he went forward alone and tackled a troublesome enemy strong point, destroying it and killing all the occupants, but he was mortally wounded.
Citation for the Military Cross:
Grandad told me that both his Victoria Cross and Military Cross were presented to his widowed mother, Mary Hoey, in Vancouver on 16th January 1945 by the Lt. Gov of British Columbia.
When it came time Major Hoey did what he had to do.
There are no words... Other than
Thank You
Charles Ferguson Hoey was a Canadian. He was 29 years old, and a Temporary Major in the 1st Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment, during the Second World War. He went to England in April 1933 with the intention of making the army his career. He first enlisted in the West Kent Regiment, won a cadetship to the Royal Military College at Sandhurst and went there in September 1935. He graduated from Sandhurst in December 1936 and, after a brief visit home to Duncan, British Columbia joined the 2nd Battalion, the Lincolnshire Regiment. He transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Lincolnshires, and sailed to India in September 1937. He went to Burma with the 1st Battalion in 1942 and served there until his death in February 1944. He was awarded the Military Cross in July 1943 for his outstanding service at Maungdaw during a raid on a Japanese position. On 16 February 1944 near the Ngakyedauk Pass, Arakan, Burma (now Myanmar), Major Hoey's company came under devastating machine-gun fire, but Major Hoey did not waver in his advance on the objective. Although wounded in the head and leg he went forward alone and tackled a troublesome enemy strong point, destroying it and killing all the occupants, but he was mortally wounded.
Citation for the Military Cross:
- "On the 5th July; 1943, Major Hoey was in charge of a force sent to raid Maungdaw, Burma. Throughout the raid he showed outstanding powers of leadership and though delayed by several accidents on the way, succeeded in getting his force into Maungdaw and inflicting casualties on the enemy. Throughout the operation he showed a complete disregard for his personal safety and remained completely imperturbable in face of all difficulties and dangers. His personal example was an inspiration to all his men and contributed to a great extent to the success of the operation. The force succeeded in hitting at least 22 Japanese for certain. The majority of these were killed. Owing to the skilful handling of his force, Major Hoey only sustained three casualties, of other ranks, wounded. Major Hoey's determination, courage and skill during the whole of the operation were beyond praise."
- "In BURMA, on the 16th February, 1944, Major Hoey's company formed part of a force which was ordered to capture a position at all costs. After a night march through enemy-held territory, the force was met at the foot of the position by machine gun fire. Major Hoey personally led his company under heavy machine gun and rifle fire up to the objective. Although wounded at least twice in the leg and head, he seized a Bren gun from one of his men and, firing from the hip, led his company into the objective. In spite of his wounds the company had difficulty in keeping up with him, and Major Hoey reached the enemy strong post first, where he killed all the occupants before being mortally wounded. Major Hoey's outstanding gallantry and leadership, his total disregard of personal safety and his grim determination to reach the objective resulted in the capture of this vital position."
Grandad told me that both his Victoria Cross and Military Cross were presented to his widowed mother, Mary Hoey, in Vancouver on 16th January 1945 by the Lt. Gov of British Columbia.
