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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 322

A well-documented Second World War campaign group of five awarded to Major W. J. R. Heppell, Royal Engineers, who was mentioned in despatches for his gallant and distinguished services as a Commando in 4 Special Service Brigade (S.S.B.)

As a member of 4 S.S.B.'s Headquarters, he came ashore on Juno beach on D-Day where, as described in the unit's war diary, he and his comrades were met with a heavy fire

D-Day and the Normandy operations aside, 4 S.S.B. was otherwise heavily engaged in the North-West Europe campaign, not least in the amphibious landings on Walcheren in November 1944, when it suffered casualties of 103 killed, 325 wounded and 68 missing

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45 with M.I.D. oak leaf; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., Territorial, the reverse officially dated '1951', with E.II.R. Second Award Bar, mounted as worn, very fine (5)

Wilfred John Richardson Heppell was born at Merthyr Tydfil in Glamorganshire on 6 January 1914 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers (Territorials) on 18 September 1939.

Likely present at Dunkirk, he was certainly involved in training 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards in the handling of explosives, accompanying letters thanking him for just such work in the summer of 1941.

Commando - D-Day - Walcheren

In April 1944, Heppell joined the Commandos with an appointment as Senior Officer, R.E., attached to 4 Special Service Brigade's H.Q., under Brigadier B. W. "Jumbo" Leicester, D.S.O., Royal Marines. He was to remain similarly employed until the unit's disbandment in November 1945, thereby seeing action on D-Day and throughout the campaign in North-West Europe, gallant work that won him a mention in despatches (London Gazette 9 August 1945, refers).

The Brigade's task on D-Day was to secure the flanks of the invasion beaches, linking up the British sector from the Orne River to Port-en-Bessin, through to the American sector on Omaha beach. Its men - comprising 41, 46, 47 and 48 (R.M.) Commandos - were accordingly allocated to the landings on Gold, Juno and Sword beaches.

Heppell and Brigade H.Q. came ashore at high tide at 0900 hours at St. Aubin sur Mer on Juno beach, where they - and 46 (R.M.) Commando - faced stiff German resistance, prior to fighting their way through Luc sur Mer. By the end of the day, they had joined up with 41 (R.M.) Commando, thereby linking the flanks of Juno and Sword beaches.

Most notable of the Brigade's subsequent part in the campaign in North-West Europe was Operation "Infatuate II", the seaborne element of the attack on Walcheren in early November 1944, when, under a heavy fire, it landed at Westkapelle. The operation took eight days to complete and cost the Brigade dearly, casualties amounting to 103 killed, 325 wounded and 68 missing

The Brigade spent the remainder of the war mounting raids across the River Mass, including participation in Operations "Incalculable" and "Bogart".

Having departed the Commandos in November 1945, Heppell continued to serve in the Territorial Army, and was promoted to Major in March 1953. He was also awarded the Efficiency Decoration and Bar.

The Major died at Mendip, Somerset in February 1992.

Sold with the following original documentation and related artefacts:

(i)
The recipient's commission warrant for the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers (Territorials), dated 18 September 1939.

(ii)
His Commando Service Certificate, in the name of 'Capt. W. J. R. Heppell, R.E.', confirming his period of attachment from 20 April 1944 to 22 November 1945.

(iii)
His mention in despatches certificate, in the name of 'Captain (Temp.) W. J. R. Heppell, Royal Engineers', and dated 9 August 1945.

(iv)
Two letters from officers of the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, thanking the recipient for his instruction in explosives, dated 3 and 22 August 1941.

(v)
A fine array of wartime / career photographs (approximately 50), and a card mounted photograph of the recipient and soldiers of 109 (Glamorganshire) Army Engineer Regiment (T.A.), dated September 1957.

(vi)
His Dunkirk commemorative medal, with a named award certificate, together with his D-Day / Normandy commemorative medal and an embroidered Commando blazer badge.

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Sold for
£650

Starting price
£320