| Headlam | John Emerson Wharton | | Major | HEADLAM, JOHN EMERSON WHARTON, Major, was born at Whorlton, County Durham, 16 April 1864, son of Morley Headlam, of Gilmonny Hall, Yorkshire, and Whorlton Grange, Durham, and of Mrs Headlam, daughter of Caulfield Heamish, of County Cork, Ireland. He was educated at King's College School, and the Royal Military Academy, and joined the Royal Artillery, as Lieutenant, 28 July 1883; became Captain 22 March 1892; was Instructor, School of Gunnery, 1 July 1892 to 30 June 1897, and was promoted Major 13 February 1900. Major Headlam served in the South African War from 1900 to 1902, as DAAG, for Royal Artillery, Headquarters Staff, in South Africa, 13 February 1900 to 23 June 1902. He was present in the operations in the Orange Free State from February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg (17 to 26 February); action at Poplar Grove; operations in the Transvaal, May and June 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June); operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to November 1900; operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 16 April 1901 and 20 July 1902]; was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 22 August 1902; received the Queen's Medal with four clasps; the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "John Emerson Wharton Headlam, Major, Royal Artillery. In recognition of services during the recent operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented to him by the Duke of Cornwall and York 14 August 1901, at Pietermaritzburg, Natal. He was DAAG, South Africa, 24 June 1902 to 3 June 1903; Assistant Director of Artillery, Headquarters of Army, 1 April, 1904, to 19 July 1906; was given the Brevet of Colonel 22 August 1905; AQMG, Headquarters, India, 3 July 1908, to 4 December 1908; was promoted to Colonel 25 November 1908; Director of Staff Duties and Military Training, General Staff, India, 5 December 1908 to 2 April 1913; Temporary Brigadier General 7 January 1911 to 2 April 1913; was created a CB in 1913; Brigadier General, Commanding Royal Artillery, 5th Division, 1 October 1913. He served during the European War from the beginning, still commanding the 5th Divisional Artillery until 18 February 1915, when he was promoted to Major General for distinguished services in the field. He was Major General, Royal Artillery, Headquarters, Second Army, from February to December 1915; Major General, Royal Artillery, General Headquarters, December 1915 to May 1916; on Special Duty from May 1916, including the Allied Mission to Russia in 1917, and the Artillery Mission to the United States in 1918. He was wounded at Le Cateau on 26 August 1914, and was twice mentioned in Despatches. He was created a KBE in 1919. Sir J E W Headlam held the 1st Class of the Order of St Anne, with Swords (Russia), the Legion of Honour (Croix de Commandeur), and the American Distinguished Service Medal. He was a Deputy Lieutenant for County Durham. On 26 December 1890, he married Mary, daughter of Perceval Wilkinson, of Mount Oswald, County Durham, and they had two daughters: Margaret Ellen and Mary Phyllis.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Artillery |
