Robert Hedley

W.W.2.

Hampshire Regiment Cap badge.

Service number: 5501655
Regiment 7th Battalion Hampshire Regiment
Age at death: 22 years.

Robert, known as Bob was the son of William Hedley and Isabella and was said to of grown up with Joseph Doe and Frederick Lamb (AKA Uncle Kelly) in the Gypsy Traveller compound of Thorney Hill, Bransgore.From Battalion’s records it is noted that Robert was posted from 12th Corps Defence Company to 7th Hampshire’s on 16th March 1944. The Battalion was in 130th Brigade with the 4th and 5th Dorset’s, in 43rd (light Infantry) Division. His service number was 5501655.

Mid-June 1944 Robert moved with his Battalion to their embarkation area and landed near Le Hamel on June 22nd. They then concentrated north of Bayeux and took a defensive position near Breteville L’Orgueilleuse. Their job was to counter attack battalion if necessary. On 3rd July they were relieved of this role and warned for an attack on Maltot.

On July 5th the attack which was proposed had been postponed and the battalion moved up to the front line to relieve the Kings’s Shropshire Light Infantry. On 9th July Robert and his battalion were released and moved back to a resting centre and spent the day in a dug slit trench to rest. That evening they were told that the attack on Maltot was on so July 10th the division were tasked with capturing the high ground between the Rivers Odon and Orne, moving forward to Feuguerolles. During the attack in Maltot 226 men were killed or wounded, one sadly being Robert.Roberts name is recorded on the Bayeoux Memorial Panel 15, Column 1.