Sad story about a Bruneval Raid veteran, and an appeal to put things right!

Hello everyone. My father Sapper Stanley Halliwell was one of only ten Royal Engineers who took part in the very first successful operation for the newly formed Parachute regiment, that operation being the Bruneval Raid. Most of the plaudits, quite rightly, went to C Company 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment, but along with RAF Flight Sergeant Cox, it was the job of the sappers to dismantle the parts on the Wurzburg radar. My father under heavy enemy gunfire, climbed up to remove the antennae or dipole.

Amongst the other RE members at the radar that night, was a Lance Corporal Richard I. Heard, who although known to have been wounded during the evacuation, was never heard from again. I assumed he had to withdraw from airborne operations due to his wounds, but recently it came to light that this wasn't the case. Over in France, a French historian who runs the ' Bruneval Raid Veterans Relatives Association', found a death certificate online matching the name of Richard I. Heard, and discovered something so tragic and really sad regarding this brave man. Still being treated for his wounds, in December 1942 L/Cpl Heard was discovered to be suffering from cancer, a disease that was to take his life the following year on the 30th December 1943. His brother Percy cared for him in his final days, but the really sad thing is that due to wartime restrictions L/Cpl Richard I. Heard has been laying in an unmarked grave for over eighty years.

My friends in France are greatly disturbed to hear of this, as I am too, and have now started an appeal to raise funds to place a fitting marker, probably a commemoration stone, on his grave. They have started a GoFundMe appeal for this brave man, who served his country so well and yet died at the young age of 24 years old. Anyone can donate an amount however small, as every penny counts. The 'GoFundMe link' is below;

https://gofund.me/0cc09bfbc

I made my donation on my PC. This immediately translated the script from French to English, and I also selected the option to pay using PayPal. You will receive a receipt for your donation, and you can if you so wish to, donate like I did anonymously.

Thank you all for your time to read this. Below is a more detailed notification, taken from a recent newsletter for members of the BRVRA, of which with my father's participation qualifies me as a member.

 

There is a similar appeal and Richard's bio. plus photo on an open Facebook group: Bruneval Raid : Operation 'Biting'

 

As you are aware he is buried in Surbiton cemetery SW London

Richard I Heard
BIRTH
1919
DEATH
30 Dec 1943 (aged 23–24)
BURIAL
Surbiton Cemetery
Kingston upon Thames, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Greater London, England
PLOT
XVI, 5213
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/222335246/richard_i-heard

You need to investigate further before assumptions are made.
Non commemoration happened to many in the military who served but succumbed to an illness not connected to their time in the military.

The family may well have decided not to have a headstone ( this does happen)

The assumption he is not commemorated is due to him being released from military service due to his wounds or illness.
His illness not connected to military service means no commemoration by CWGC.


If you contacted the CWGC they will advise you further if there is a chance of commemoration with any documents you have.

 

I was aware through my French friend that this man was buried somewhere in London, but I didn't know the whereabouts exactly. Thank you for taking the trouble to update me. This information will help me immensely.

 

It's the same man and of course the same appeal. I also posted about this on the Facebook group 'Remember Gen.Urquhart's Demolition Experts'. The more that are aware, the easier and quicker the amount will be raised. FYI the Bruneval Raid - Operation 'Biting' Facebook group is run by my French friend who happens to be the French historian I referred to in my earlier post..