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Hickey, Alphonse

Date of birth:
April 29th, 1920 (Sydney/Nova Scotia, Canada)
Date of death:
August 30th, 1944 (near Montecchio/Province of Pesaro e Urbino, region Marche, Italy)
Buried on:
Commonwealth War Cemetery Montecchio
Plot: I. Row: D. Grave: 13.
Service number:
F.32124
Nationality:
Canadian

Biography

Alphonse Hickey was the son to Alphonse Hickey and Euphemia Gillis.

Career:
August 18th, 1942: Canadian Army;
February 11th, 1943: Cape Breton Highlanders.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Private
Unit:
"B" Company, Cape Breton Highlanders, 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 5th Canadian Armoured Division, British Army
Alphonse Hickey was killed in action on August 30th, 1944, during the battle for Hill 120 near Montecchio at the Gothic Line in Italy. His unit, B Company, made two failing attempts to capture the German positions at Hill 120. During one of these attacks, Alphonse Hicky voluntarily covered the retreat of his unit with his Bran gun.
When the following day, the Irish Regiment finally captured the hill, the body of Hickey was discovered, surrounded by dead Germans who fell victim of his Bren.

For this action, Alphonse Hicky was awarded the MiD posthumously.
Mentioned in Dispatches

Sources

Photo