Major Charles Hoey V.C. - Duncan, BC
N 48° 46.620 W 123° 42.391
10U E 448093 N 5402907
A plaque and park dedicated to Major Charles Hoey who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his battlefield actions on February 16th, 1944 in Burma.
Waymark Code: WMA5RQ
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Date Posted: 11/21/2010
Views: 8
From the stone plaque:
THIS PARK WAS PROCLAIMED AND DEDICATED
CHARLES HOEY V.C. MEMORIAL PARK
BY HIS WORSHIP MAYOR M.G. COLEMAN
AND THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUNCAN
ON AUGUST 12TH 1991
TO MARK THE VISIT OF THE
BURMA STAR ASSOCIATION
AND IN RECOGNITION OF THE OUTSTANDING
HEROISM AND INDOMITABLE COURAGE OF
MAJOR CHARLES HOEY
CITIZEN OF THE COWICHAN VALLEY
AND RECIPIENT OF THE VICTORIA CROSS-BURMA 1944
"GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN"
From the Veterans Affairs Canada web page on Major Hoey:
Service Number: 71106
Age: 29
Force: Army
Unit: Lincolnshire Regiment
Division: 1st Bn.
Citation: Victoria Cross: The following particulars are given in the London Gazette of May 16th, 1944:
In Burma, on the 16th February 1944, Major Hoey's company formed a 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 heavy machine-gun fire. Major Hoey personally led his company under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire right 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 on to the objective. In spite of his wounds the company had difficulty 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.
Military Cross awarded posthmously (July 1943 Maungdaw), 1939-45 Star, Burma Star, 1939-45 Medal.