MAJOR CHARLES FERGUSON HOEY V.C. M.C.

Mr. Jonathan Haddock of London, England has kindly sent us the following excerpts of the early life of Charles Ferguson Hoey and also a  published account of  his heroism during the Burma Campaign.  

Mr. Haddock, whose father John, was a cousin of  the late Major Hoey has vigorously researched archives pertaining to his relative. Major Hoey’s mother Mary, and John Haddock’s mother, Julia, were sisters. They were the daughters of  Major-General Charles Rudyerd Simpson, C.B. who was Colonel of the Lincolnshire Regiment from 1914 to 1938. This is the regiment which Major Charles Hoey himself eventually joined.  

A further objective was to ascertain if there are any surviving relatives of the Hoey family here in British Columbia. In this regard I believe he has been successful.  

Here are the records he sent to the British Columbia Branch of the Burma Star Association:  

From The Victoria Daily Times, Vancouver Island, Br. Columbia.

Wednesday, January 17, 1945.  

LIEUT'-GOVERNOR,WOODWARD PRESENT'S KING'S AWARD.

 

Mrs. Ferguson Hoey of Duncan, a slim, erect figure in black, dry-eyed and heroic like her sons, stood before His Honor, Lieutenant-Governor W.C. Woodward, at Government House, Tuesday, and received for her dead eldest son, Major Charles Ferguson Hoey, the Victoria Cross, the Empire’s highest decoration for valor in the field.  

Ten soldiers who have played gallant parts in war were also honored, but it was MRS HOEY on whom all eyes were turned as her name was called and His Honor pinned to her shoulder the coveted cross, awarded in this war to only approximately 100 of the Empire's millions of fighting men.  

TWO CROSSES  

It was not only the Victoria Cross Mrs. Hoey received for her gallant elder son at the solemn ceremony in the green and white drawing-room at Government House, but also her son's Military Cross. When the citations had been read and the crosses pinned to her, Mrs. Hoey turned to return to her place. His Honor accompanied her to her husband and daughter, Mrs. J. W. Connor, wife of an air force officer. She stood a moment, then sat down, looking  fixedly at the crosses in her hands. She must have thought of her two sons, her Victoria Cross boy who brought such honor to his family, and also her younger son, Lieut.Trevor Hoey, who died in the fighting around Caen last summer. All Duncan was with her in thought, for the Island town is justifiably proud of these two soldiers who were born and brought up there.  

Later Mrs. Hoey posed for press pictures, was cheerful and bright, and, in a bay window in the dining room had tea with Mrs. Woodward. Afterwards she took her son's two medals home to Duncan, to have a cherished place in her possessions.  

Mrs. Hoey some  weeks ago felt not well enough to undertake the. journey to Ottawa to receive the Victoria and Military Crosses from the Governor General. Had her son lived he would have received the awards from the hands of the King at Buckingham Palace.

A story of courage and cheerfulness in the face of terrific odds could be gleaned from the brief, clipped citations for both Military Cross and Victoria Cross, read by Capt. J. G. Cromack, private secretary to His Honor.  

MILITARY CROSS  

Major HOEY'S Military Cross citation was:  

"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."  

VICTORIA CROSS  

The citation for the Victoria Cross read:  

"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."  

Mrs. Hoey moved, from her chair and stood beside her hus­band and daughter as the citations for the other honors were read by Capt. Cromack, and watched with interest as Major S.S. Penny handed to His Honor the various decorations on a velvet and tasseled cushion.

The following lines were written by Mrs. HOEY and appeared in the Magazine of Queen Margaret's School, where her son Charles attended the Kindergarten there for two years:  

TO MY SON  

I think that all is quiet where you are lying,
The smoke and dust of battle long since gone,
Now little birds, and shy, small animals come freely,
Abut their daily life, while. you sleep on.

When the light of day touches the hilltop,
Folding away the mist that evening laid.
With careful hands to shield you from the darkness,
That you might rest there safe and unafraid,
One shining ray will light where you are lying,
Spreading its radiance, like a flag unfurled;
A memory of the glory of your passing,­
And of the courage that you gave the world .

 

Mary Hoey

 

Addendum:  

The altar rail in the Lincoln Cathedral is in memory of Major C.F. Hoey, VC and MC and also Capt. J. Brunt, VC and MC  

The interior of Lincoln Cathedral showing the altar rail

Major Hoey, served with the 1st. Battalion of the  Lincolnshire Regiment, 71st. Brigade, 14th. Division.  

Born in Duncan, British Columbia, on March 29th. 1914.  

Educated at:                Queen Margaret’s Kindergarten School in Duncan

                                    Duncan Grammar School

Duncan High School

                                    Sandhurst Military College in England.  

Killed in action, February 16th. 1944 at Feature 315, near Ngakyedauk Pass, Arakan, Burma at the age of  29 years, 11 months.  

Buried in Taukkyan War Cemetery, Rangoon, Burma. Plot X11,  Row M,  Grave No. 2  

The following is an excerpt from “Canada’s V.C.’s”  

CHARLES FERGUSON HOEY in April, 1936 went to England with the intention of making the army his career. He first enlisted in the West Kent Regiment, won a cadet-ship to the Royal Military College at Sandhurst and went there in September 1935. He passed out of Sandhurst in December, 1936 and, after a brief visit home to Duncan, joined the 2nd. Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment. This regiment, following distinguished service in the Burma fighting, is now the Royal Lincolnshire’s.  

He transferred to the 1st. Battalion of the Lincolnshire’s, then in India, and sailed for there 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.  

His Victoria Cross came as a result of the action described in the citation. Major Hoey is buried in Taukkyan cemetery, Rangoon, Burma.