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Auction: 12002 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 440

Family Group: The C.B., Second War 1945 ´Burma´ C.B.E., 1941 ´Middle East´ D.S.O. Group of Ten to Brigadier A.F. Hely, Royal Horse Artillery, Commanding Officer, 7th Indian Division in Burma a) The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, Companion´s (C.B.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with full and miniature width neck ribands, in Garrard, London, case of issue b) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Military Division, Commander´s (C.B.E.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with full and miniature width neck ribands, in Garrard, London, case of issue c) Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse of suspension bar officially dated ´1941´, with integral top riband bar, with Garrard, London, case of issue d) 1939-1945 Star e) Africa Star f) Burma Star g) Defence and War Medals h) Coronation 1937 i) Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., silver and silver-gilt, reverse officially dated ´1945´, with top ´Territorial´ riband bar, good very fine, mounted as worn, together with the recipient´s related miniature awards, the T.D. with three additional award Bars, and the following documents &c.: - Commission appointing Alfred Francis Hely a Second Lieutenant in the Territorial Army, dated 10.3.1926 - Bestowal Document for the C.B., named Brigadier (temporary) Alfred Francis Hely, C.B.E., D.S.O., T.D., and dated 1.1.1951 - Bestowal Document for the C.B.E., named to Brigadier (temporary) Alfred Francis Hely, D.S.O., R.H.A., and dated 8.2.1945 - Bestowal Document for the D.S.O., named to Lieutenant-Colonel A.F. Hely, Royal Horse Artillery, and dated 30.12.1941 - Two Mentioned in Despatches Certificates, named to Lieut.-Colonel A.F. Hely, D.S.O., Royal Horse Artillery and Brigadier (temp.) A.F. Hely, C.B.E., D.S.O., T.D., Royal Artillery, and dated 30.12.1941 and 9.5.1946 respectively, the latter with War Office enclosure - War Office letter to the recipient on his release from active duty, dated 5.4.1946 - Letter to the recipient from the Headquarters British Forces, Palestine and Transjordan, dated 26.3.1941 - Large Portrait photograph of the recipient, and a group photograph of Territorial Army Officers Volunteer Force Long Service & G.C., V.R. (2423. Colr. Sergt. W. Hely. 5th. (Irish) V.B. L´pool.), nearly very fine (11) Estimate £ 2,400-2,800 C.B. London Gazette 1.1.1951 Brigadier (temporary) Alfred Francis Hely, C.B.E., D.S.O., T.D. (34589), late Royal Regiment of Artillery, Territorial Army The recommendation, dated 14.8.1950, states: ´Brigadier Hely is a shining example of the best type of Territorial Army Officer. Joining the Territorial Army 24 years ago, he has served continuously and with considerable distinction. During the War he was Commander Royal Artillery 7th Indian Division for three years, being awarded the C.B.E. and a D.S.O. Since its formation, he has been Commander Royal Artillery 42nd (Lancashire) Infantry Division. In spite of being a busy professional man, he devotes all his spare time to the Territorial Army and every week-end is spent with one or other of his units or on exercises. he is an officer of considerable ability who, by his drive, energy, and keenness, has brought his Divisional Artillery to a very high standard of efficiency for the Territorial Army. He is an outstanding example of a man who from manhood has devoted his spare time to the service of the State.´ C.B.E. London Gazette 8.2.1945 Brigadier (temporary) Alfred Francis Hely, D.S.O. (34589), Royal Horse Artillery. ´In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India.´ The recommendation, dated 24.5.1944, states: ´During the operations in the Arakan from the 7th September 1943 to the 15th May 1944, Brigadier Hely has been Commander Royal Artillery 7th Indian Division. Throughout this period he has done splendid work, in organizing and controlling the Artillery Support in a large number of actions with great skill and efficiency. During the operation in February 1944 which ended in the decisive defeat of the Japanese his power of command and devotion to duty were especially evident. After resisting the Japanese attack for some time in the area of Royal Artillery Headquarters he eventually withdrew the whole party in good order to the Administration Box where without delay he re-established his communications and within a few hours was again controlling not only the whole of the Division Artillery but also the Corps Artillery Group. For his gallant leadership and skilful command he is recommended for the award of the C.B.E.´ D.S.O. London Gazette 30.12.1941 Lieutenant-Colonel Alfred Francis Hely (34589), Royal Horse Artillery ´In recognition of distinguished services in the Middle East (including Egypt, East Africa, The Western Desert, The Sudan, Greece, Crete, Syria and Tobruk) during the period February 1941 to July 1941. The recommendation states: ´Lieutenant-Colonel Hely has been Commanding Officer of 106 (York and Lancaster) Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery from its arrival in the Middle East until its disbandment in June 1941 owing to its very severe casualties. His Regiment was in continuous action throughout the first Cyrenaica operation against the Italians in a combined anti-tank and anti-aircraft role, and accounted for many enemy tanks and aircraft. It distinguished itself particularly at Beda Fomm. Late in February 1941 the Regiment was withdrawn from the Ageila area, re-organized as a complete anti-aircraft Regiment, and immediately despatched to Greece where again it accounted for many enemy aircraft. The Regiment suffered severely, and on withdrawal from Greece, Lieutenant-Colonel Hely with the survivors were employed in an Infantry role in the Suda Bay area of Crete, where the Regiment was finally decimated to the extent that necessitated it being disbanded. Owing to the frequent and rapid moves of this Regiment it would appear that recommendations for awards for gallantry were lost. The standard set in operations by this Regiment under trying conditions of re-organization and continual change of Command was very high throughout and reflects most favourably on its Commanding Officer.´ T.D. London Gazette 25.1.1945 Lt.-Col. (T/Brig.) A. F. Hely, D.S.O. (34589), Royal Artillery M.I.D. London Gazette 30.12.1941 Lt.-Col. A. F. Hely, D.S.O. (34589), Royal Horse Artillery ´In recognition of distinguished services in the Middle East (including Egypt, East Africa, The Western Desert, The Sudan, Greece, Crete, Syria and Tobruk) during the period February 1941 to July 1941.´ M.I.D. London Gazette 9.5.1946 Brig. (temp.) A. F. Hely, C.B.E., D.S.O., T.D. (34589), Royal Regiment of Artillery ´In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma.´ Brigadier Alfred Francis ´Tim´ Hely, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., T.D., born 3.8.1902; educated at St. Edward´s College, Liverpool, and Liverpool University; served in the Duke of Lancaster´s Own Imperial Yeomanry, 1925-26; Commissioned Second Lieutenant, 106th Lancashire Yeomanry, Royal Horse Artillery, Territorial Army, 10.3.1926; promoted Lieutenant, 10.3.1929; Captain, 18.8.1929; Major, 2.5.1931; Lieutenant-Colonel, 20.10.1937; served as Commanding Officer of the 106th Lancashire Yeomanry, 1937-41; served during the Second World War with the 60th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery in Palestine, the Western Desert, Greece, Crete, and Syria, 1941-42, and present at the action at Beda Fomm, February 1941, and Sidi Rezegh, November 1941 (D.S.O., Mentioned in Despatches); and with 7th Indian Division on the North West Frontier, in India, and in Burma, 1942-45, and present at the Japanese attack on 15 Indian Corps´ administrative base at Sinzweya, Burma, February 1944 (C.B.E., Mentioned in Despatches); Commanded the 7th Indian Division in Burma with the acting rank of Brigadier, 1945; promoted Colonel, 1.1.1947 and Commanded the 42nd (Lancs) Infantry Division, Territorial Army, 1947-50 (C.B.); retired with the rank of Brigadier, 1.1.1951. In Civilian life Hely served as a Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside, and as the Chief Dental Officer, Cheshire County Council, 1957-68. He died at home in Birkenhead, 24.6.1990.

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