| Gerard | Lord | | Lieutenant Colonel | GERARD (LORD), SIR WILLIAM CANSFIELD, Colonel, was born in London, 21 June 1851, son of Sir Tolver Gerard, Baronet, 1st Lord Gerard, of the Carabiniers, Colonel of Lancashire Hussars, Yeomanry Cavalry, Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria, and of Harriet, daughter of Edward Clifton. He was educated at Oscott College, and at Stonyhurst College, Lancashire. He was gazetted to the 2nd Life Guards about 1870, and retired as Lieutenant. In 1876 he joined the Lancashire Hussars, and served with them in the South African Campaign, 1899-1901, when Lord Gerard acted as Staff Officer to General Sir Redvers Buller. He was present at the Battle of Colenso, where he was with the guns when Lord Roberts's son was killed; he had his horse shot under him. He was mentioned in Sir Redvers Buller's Despatches, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "William Cansfield, Lord Gerard, Lieutenant Colonel and Honorary Colonel, Lancashire Hussars. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented to Lord Gerard by the King 29 October 1901. He died at his residence, Eastwell Park, Ashford, Kent, in 1902. He had married, 7 August 1877, in King Henry VIII's Chapel, Westminster Abbey, May Laura, daughter of Henry Beilby Milner, of West Retford House, Nottinghamshire, granddaughter of Sir William Milner and of Archbishop Beresford, Primate of Ireland, and they had one son, Frederick John, born 10 November 1883, Captain, Royal Horse Guards (who served in the European War, 1914-17, and was severely wounded); and one daughter, Ethel Catharine Hannah, born in 1881, married in February 1904, to Baron de Forest.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Imperial Yeomanry |
