| Surname: | Hearn |
| Initials: | C V |
| Rank: | Sergeant |
| Army Number: | 6769169 |
| Notes: | CMP. 62 Sect SIB. From New Malden. He enlisted in the 23 London Regiment, later re enlisted in the Coldstream Guards at London, age 19, occupation printer, born Battersea, London, 3/1/1940 compulsory transferred to CMP. Cyril Victor Hearn. He was the author of three books Desert Assignment, Foreign Assignment and Russian Assignment. All stories relating to his wartime service in the SIB. C V Hearn joined the Surrey Constabulary after the war and wrote two book about his wartime SIB days, they were Foreign Assignment and Desert Assignment. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | British Empire Medal (London Gazette: 37274 Page: 4674 Sept. 20, 1945) |
| Citation: | Regimental number on citation reads 6769169. Italy. Citation for BEM. The above named NCO has, over a long period, continually distinguished himself by his high sense of duty, perseverance, and hard work, showing a great degree of bravery under difficult and unusual circumstances. His cheerful character, together with the above remarks, have inspired other members of this section, and has led to the arrest of many dangerous criminals, both Service personnel and civilians. In my opinion, he merits and award of the BEM. One example of his work in the Special Investigation Branch is as follows: Many offences had been committed by a gang of armed deserter-thieves in this Area during the later months of 1944 and it became know that certain deserters, well know to this Section, were responsible. Extensive enquiries were made and certain plans adopted. On 28 Nov 44, two members of this gang were arrested. They were armed with Italian pistols. The known ringleader and other members of his gang were still at large. On 5 Dec 44., information was received that these men were in a public square in Bari. Sgt. Hearn and two other SIB men, accompanied by a CMP Patrol went to this square. The CMP Patrol could not be actively employed in the search for the deserters because of their conspicuous dress and were told to watch the movements of the SIB men. Sgt Hearn and the other two SIB men then went into the crowded square and commenced to look for the deserters. It was well known that they would be armed and they would resist arrest. As he neared four men (3 British deserters and an Italian criminal) they opened fire with automatic pistols and ran quickly away, firing at the Sgt and other SIB men as they did so, but without hitting them. Sgt Hearn chased two of the men towards the CMP patrol. On seeing the patrol one of the two men (the ringleader) opened fire on them. A CMP Cpl returned the fire and shot the deserter, who was then arrested. Sgt Hearn continued after the other man and eventually arrested him. The remaining two deserters escaped in the large crowd that gathered, but good work by Sgt Hearn led to their arrest the following day. Subsequent on this incident, Sgt Hearn brought about the arrest of no less than 24 Italians who were charged with being concerned with the deserters in larceny and receiving stolen property. Property to the value of over 4,000 (W D vehicles etc) was recovered against the ringleader alone. It is considered that the arrest of this gang had a great deterrent effect on other less dangerous deserters who might then have been in this Area and the good work of Sgt. Hearn enabled this Section to concentrate on other pressing work.Recommended by: DAPM 62 SIS. Maj APM HQ 54 Area. Brigadier Comd 54 Area. Maj Gen Comd 3 District. National Archive WO 373/73. |