Private Richard Haley

During the Allied invasion of Sicily (9-10 July 1943) Private Richard (‘Dick’) Haley, aged 21, of Frizington, Cumberland was a passenger in Glider No 75 piloted by Sergeant Leadbetter and Flight Officer Dees, USAF The other personnel onboard the glider included Captain Thomas (‘Tom’) Armstrong, OC of B Company, 1st Battalion The Border Regiment and Company HQ personnel.

On the night of 9 July 1943, approaching the coast of Sicily, the pilot towing the glider cast off the tow rope too early and the glider crashed into the sea. The occupants got out of the glider but several men were soon in difficulty. Private Dick Haley dragged some of the men on to the glider wings during the night.

Subsequently, the occupants of the glider were picked up by a supply ship returning to North Africa and they disembarked at Algiers. For his selfless heroism in saving the lives of his fellow crew Private Dick Haley was awarded the George Medal.

The George Medal citation appearing in ‘The London Gazette’, 16 November 1943

3598957, Private Richard Haley:

“During the airborne invasion of Sicily, the glider in which Haley was an occupant came down in the sea. Between 8.00 pm on July 9th and 5.30 am on July 10th, the occupants of the glider were picked up by the Landing Craft.

On no fewer than nine occasions Private Haley swam from the glider to the Landing Craft. The glider was swept by heavy seas, and some of the crew, suffering from exposure, were unable to cling to the glider, Private Haley secured them to the fuselage. At least four members of the glider crew owe their lives to the gallantry and entire disregard for his safety shown by Private Haley.”

He went on to serve at Arnhem, in September 1944, where he was taken prisoner.

Passing of war veteran

By Andrew Clarke of the Times & Star.

Last updated at 09:59, Thursday, 28 October 2010

FRIZINGTON World War II veteran Richard Haley has died aged 89.

Richard Haley

Mr Haley, of Coronation Drive, who was known as Dick, was awarded the George Medal for his life-saving efforts.

A pipe-layer by trade, Mr Haley went on to work on many building sites in the area, including Marchon and Sellafield, after leaving the military.

A funeral service for Mr Haley was held at St Joseph’s Church, Frizington, yesterday (Wednesday).

A full obituary will appear in The Whitehaven News next week.

First published at 15:51, Wednesday, 27 October 2010
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

A fine hero who saved many lives.

By Margaret Crosby for Whitehaven News.

Published at 15:46, Wednesday, 03 November 2010

RICHARD (Dick) Haley, who was a George Medal recipient for his wartime bravery, has died aged 89.

War veteran: Richard Haley, who was awarded the George Medal, in front of the war memorial.

His passing marks the loss of another of West Cumbria’s finest heroes. Mr Haley would frequently lay the wreath at Frizington War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday.

Father of 10, Mr Haley was born at Parkside, Frizington, the son of iron-ore miner Richard Haley and his wife Annie and had latterly lived at Coronation Drive, Frizington. His wife Jane (Jinny) died in 1982.

He had served with the airborne division of the Border Regiment and was awarded the George Medal when he saved several lives during the airborne invasion of Sicily during WW2.

In the Allied invasion of the island on July 9/10, 1943, Pte Haley, then aged 21, was a passenger in a glider piloted by Sgt Leadbetter and Flight Officer Dees, US Airforce. Also on board were Captain Tom Armstrong, OC of B Company, 1st Battalion the Border Regiment and Company HQ personnel.During a night time approach along the coast of Sicily, the pilot towing the glider cast off the tow rope too early and the glider crashed into the sea.

The occupants got out but several men were soon in difficulty. Pte Haley dragged some of the men on to the glider wings during the night and they were subsequently picked up by a supply ship returning to North Africa and disembarked at Algiers. He was given the medal for his “selfless heroism in saving the lives of his fellow crew’’.

The citation appeared in the London Gazette, on November 16, 1943, revealing that “on no fewer than nine occasions Pte Haley swam from the glider to the Landing Craft. The glider was swept by heavy seas, and some of the crew, suffering from exposure, were unable to cling to the glider, Pte Haley secured them to the fuselage. At least four members of the glider crew owe their lives to the gallantry and entire disregard for his own safety shown by Pte Haley.”

Mr Haley also served at Arnhem and was shot in the head and the knee. He was captured and taken to a military hospital at Stalag IXC. He was held as a German PoW for nine months.

In civvy street Mr Haley had worked for the Water Board and the Gas Board, later British Gas.

Of his 10 children, three have pre-deceased him. There are seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held last Wednesday at St Paul’s Church, Frizington.

His profile image was taken in 1943 by The Whitehaven News.