Robert Hoyle
Mar 22, 2012 21:53:03 GMT
Post by shred on Mar 22, 2012 21:53:03 GMT
Salfordonline has published a fitting tribute to Robert Hoyle one of our local WW2 heroes who has recently passed away. 
Full article
Full article
Today sees the funeral of Eccles war hero Robert Hoyle, a quiet, unassuming man, but one who led an amazing life.
This month marks the 70th anniversary of a military strike in which Bob - as he was known to family and friends - participated.
When the Second World war broke out in 1939, Bob became a member of the elite 12th Commando Unit, where he took part in one of the most famous missions in the war, the raid on St. Nazaire harbour in France in March 1942.
Bob’s incredible life story was told to me by his granddaughter Victoria Howell who is currently working at SalfordOnline as our Business Development Manager.
Here is a shortened version of his life story as told to me.
Bob was born in Patricroft on 26th June 1920. His mum and dad had five children giving Bob two brothers and two sisters as he grew up.
Leaving school at the age of 14 his first job was in the mill, though he really wanted to work in the building trade.
It wasn’t long though before Bob was called up to serve in the army.
He joined the 12th Commandos, and found himself in some dangerous situations, none more so than the attack made on St. Nazaire in France in March of 1942.
In what was named Operation Chariot, Bob’s unit had the task of covertly entering the port of St. Nazaire in order to destroy the dry docks the Germans were using to repair ships from their fleet.
In this very daring raid Bob’s mission was to blow up the winding house.
Describing Bob, his commanding officer said he "had a great sense of humour under a slightly serious appearance, was very courageous, steady, intelligent and resilient".
As their vessel, the HMS Campbeltown drew close to the dry dock area they came under heavy enemy fire, one incendiary bomb burning a hole through the deck. It was through this hole that Bob fell and almost disappeared below decks.
He was saved from falling through by his rucksack, filled with explosives, which caught on the side of the hole. Pulled out by his comrades, his trousers on fire, he nevertheless landed unperturbed and cheerful.
The small team that Bob was part of successfully got into the winding house, prepared their explosives and made ready to blow up the building.
Again, Bob was noted to be as cool as ice and "as cheerful as if he were on holiday".
When the pins of the ignitors were pulled the winding house seemed to rise several feet vertically before it exploded and disintegrated.
The mission was completed with great success and the team made their escape. Unfortunately, they were caught by the Germans and Bob was held in a prisoner of war camp for the duration of the war.
In the camp Bob learned to speak German and became a translator whenever an interpreter was required. He gained the respect of the camp officers and when he once escaped and was recaptured, the German officer was glad to see him back.
After the raid only 228 men returned to Britain; 169 were killed and 215 became prisoners of war. German casualties were over 360 dead, mostly killed after the raid when Campbeltown exploded.
To recognise their bravery, 89 decorations were awarded to members of the raiding party, including five Victoria Crosses.
After the war St Nazaire was one of 38 battle honours awarded to the Commandos; the operation has since become known as The Greatest Raid of All.
With his release at the end of the war Bob returned home and went into the building trade, first as a plasterer but then going into the house building business when he set up the firm of Moor and Hoyle in Monton. The company was to build many houses in the area and in particular in Boothstown. He continued with the business until his retirement at the age of 65.
In 2006, for his part in the dangerous mission at St Nazaire, Bob was awarded the Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur, the highest award that the French give for heroic action.
Poetry, opera and music were part of Bob’s life, but he also loved the simple things like a good cup of tea and a chair by the window to look out on the garden. Tea and a pint at the Barton Arms or the occasional fish and chip meal were some of Bob’s favourite things.
In what I think is a marvellous tribute to Bob, Victoria said, “I always called him Bob and I hope to marry a man who will be as much a true gentleman as Bob was.”
So today just for a moment, stop and think of Bob and the heroic deeds that he performed for his country, aged just twenty two, because if it wasn't for brave young men like Bob, it is probable that you would not be reading this article today.
This month marks the 70th anniversary of a military strike in which Bob - as he was known to family and friends - participated.
When the Second World war broke out in 1939, Bob became a member of the elite 12th Commando Unit, where he took part in one of the most famous missions in the war, the raid on St. Nazaire harbour in France in March 1942.
Bob’s incredible life story was told to me by his granddaughter Victoria Howell who is currently working at SalfordOnline as our Business Development Manager.
Here is a shortened version of his life story as told to me.
Bob was born in Patricroft on 26th June 1920. His mum and dad had five children giving Bob two brothers and two sisters as he grew up.
Leaving school at the age of 14 his first job was in the mill, though he really wanted to work in the building trade.
It wasn’t long though before Bob was called up to serve in the army.
He joined the 12th Commandos, and found himself in some dangerous situations, none more so than the attack made on St. Nazaire in France in March of 1942.
In what was named Operation Chariot, Bob’s unit had the task of covertly entering the port of St. Nazaire in order to destroy the dry docks the Germans were using to repair ships from their fleet.
In this very daring raid Bob’s mission was to blow up the winding house.
Describing Bob, his commanding officer said he "had a great sense of humour under a slightly serious appearance, was very courageous, steady, intelligent and resilient".
As their vessel, the HMS Campbeltown drew close to the dry dock area they came under heavy enemy fire, one incendiary bomb burning a hole through the deck. It was through this hole that Bob fell and almost disappeared below decks.
He was saved from falling through by his rucksack, filled with explosives, which caught on the side of the hole. Pulled out by his comrades, his trousers on fire, he nevertheless landed unperturbed and cheerful.
The small team that Bob was part of successfully got into the winding house, prepared their explosives and made ready to blow up the building.
Again, Bob was noted to be as cool as ice and "as cheerful as if he were on holiday".
When the pins of the ignitors were pulled the winding house seemed to rise several feet vertically before it exploded and disintegrated.
The mission was completed with great success and the team made their escape. Unfortunately, they were caught by the Germans and Bob was held in a prisoner of war camp for the duration of the war.
In the camp Bob learned to speak German and became a translator whenever an interpreter was required. He gained the respect of the camp officers and when he once escaped and was recaptured, the German officer was glad to see him back.
After the raid only 228 men returned to Britain; 169 were killed and 215 became prisoners of war. German casualties were over 360 dead, mostly killed after the raid when Campbeltown exploded.
To recognise their bravery, 89 decorations were awarded to members of the raiding party, including five Victoria Crosses.
After the war St Nazaire was one of 38 battle honours awarded to the Commandos; the operation has since become known as The Greatest Raid of All.
With his release at the end of the war Bob returned home and went into the building trade, first as a plasterer but then going into the house building business when he set up the firm of Moor and Hoyle in Monton. The company was to build many houses in the area and in particular in Boothstown. He continued with the business until his retirement at the age of 65.
In 2006, for his part in the dangerous mission at St Nazaire, Bob was awarded the Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur, the highest award that the French give for heroic action.
Poetry, opera and music were part of Bob’s life, but he also loved the simple things like a good cup of tea and a chair by the window to look out on the garden. Tea and a pint at the Barton Arms or the occasional fish and chip meal were some of Bob’s favourite things.
In what I think is a marvellous tribute to Bob, Victoria said, “I always called him Bob and I hope to marry a man who will be as much a true gentleman as Bob was.”
So today just for a moment, stop and think of Bob and the heroic deeds that he performed for his country, aged just twenty two, because if it wasn't for brave young men like Bob, it is probable that you would not be reading this article today.
