A Second War ‘Italian Campaign’ G.M. group of six awarded to Gunner J. Heaney, Royal Artillery, who entered a German minefield to save the life of a severely wounded Indian soldier; recognising the importance of haste, he repeatedly swam across a fast-flowing river, enabling his charge to receive hospital treatment in time to save his life

George Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (930511 Gnr. John Heaney, R.A.) officially re-impressed naming in small capitals; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine (6) £1,000-£1,400

G.M. London Gazette 8 June 1945:
‘In recognition of conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.’

The original recommendation states: ‘On the 7th November 1944 on the bank of the River Savio, close to Cesena, an Indian other rank walked into a minefield and was blown up on a mine. Gunner Heaney saw the accident from the opposite bank, and as there was no bridge, and although the river was flowing very fast at this point, without hesitation he plunged in and swam across. He picked his way through the minefields, applied dressings to the wounds and swam back across the river, where both were pulled out in an exhausted condition by means of a rope. The river at this point was 150 feet wide and swift running. Gunner Heaney showed great endurance and superb disregard for his personal safety and by his action undoubtedly saved the life of the wounded man.’

John Heaney was born in Anfield, Liverpool, on 14 December 1913. A livestock transport motor-driver, he attested at Birkenhead for the Royal Artillery on 11 December 1939 and was posted to the 11th Field Training Regiment soon thereafter. Transferred to the 22nd Field Regiment 20 June 1940 and briefly attached to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps on 24 February 1941, he married Miss Winifred Knight at Hambledon, Hampshire, before being sent to North Africa on 11 March 1943 with the 22nd Field Company, Royal Engineers. Joining the First Army in Tunisia, Heaney was appointed Driver in Charge on 13 April 1943 and was present during Operation Vulcan when a final ground attack effectively ended the campaign against the Axis Forces with the surrender of nearly 250,000 German and Italian soldiers; at around the time of the capture of Djebel Bou Aoukaz, the Germans were down to just 69 operational tanks, including 4 Tiger Tanks, in the entire Tunisian beachhead.

Admitted to No. 72 General Hospital at Souk Ahras from 26 June to 3 July 1943, reason unknown, Heaney was later admitted for a short time to No. 69 General Hospital at La Reunion, before being transferred to the 8th Convalescent Depot on 1 November 1943. Returned to to the 22nd Field Regiment on 29 March 1944, Heaney was posted to Italy midway through the Allied attacks upon Monte Cassino and the Gustav Defences. Here the Germans made excellent use of the mountainous topography and fast-flowing rivers, and successfully held back the British XIII Corps for months on end; it fell to the ingenuity of the Sappers at Amazon Bridge on the night of 12-13 May 1944 to finally make the decisive breakthrough, a scene later immortalised by the artist Terence Cuneo in his painting Crossing the Rapido.

Advancing up the Adriatic Coast, the Allies captured Ravenna on 5 November 1944, but faced still opposition from troops of the German 10th Army, established upon the raised banks of the River Senio. In support of 4th Infantry Division, it was at this time that Heaney determined to save the life of an Indian soldier, his troubles likely made worse by extremely cold water and the onset of early winter conditions. Severe fighting along the spine of Italy would continue until the Gothic Line was finally breached in April 1945, barely one week before the formal German surrender on 8 May 1945 which ended the war in Europe. Admitted to hospital in Athens from 21 March to 7 April 1945, Heaney was struck off strength, Central Mediterranean Force, on 16 November 1945, and likely returned home to his wife in Hambledon. He remained in the Royal Artillery Reserve, but his health finally got the better of him in April 1952 when he was discharged medically unfit for further service.

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