Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Charles Ferguson Hoey
In memory of:
Major Charles Ferguson Hoey
February 17, 1944
Military Service
71106
29
Army
Lincolnshire Regiment
1st Bn.
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.
Additional Information
March 29, 1914
Duncan, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Son of Ferguson and Mary Rudyard Hoey, of Duncan, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. He was educated at the Duncan Grammar School and at the Duncan High School. In April 1933 he went to England 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, joined the 2nd Battalion, the Lincolnshire Regiment, which is now the Royal Lincolnshires following distinguished service fighting in Burma. He transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment, which was at that time in India, and sailed there in September 1937. He went to Burma with the 1st Battalion in 1942 and served 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. His Victoria Cross is on display at the Sabraon Barrack in Lincoln, England.
Commemorated on Page 336 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.
Burial Information
TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY
Myanmar
12. H. 2.
TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY is outside Yangon (formerly Rangoon, Burma), near the airport and immediately adjoining the village of Taukkyan. It is on PY1 road (formerly Prome Road), about 35 kilometres north of the city from which it is easily accessible.
Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Digital Collection
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War Memorial – Barrie Military Park, Canadian Victoria Cross Recipients, Cenotaph -
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Photo of Charles Ferguson Hoey – Maj C F Hoey VC - from Toronto Public Archives -
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Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
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Altar rail – Altar rail at Lincoln Cathedral, England for Major Charles Hoey VC MC -
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Photo of Charles Ferguson Hoey Victoria Cross – Submitted by Operation Picture Me -
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Photo of Charles Hoey – Submitted by Operation Picture Me -
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Gravemarker – Charles Ferguson Hoey Victoria Cross Submitted by Operation Picture Me
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