| Gay | Arthur William | | Major | GAY, ARTHUR WILLIAM, Major, was born in London 22 March, 1863, son of John Gay, FRCS, and Elizabeth Gay. He entered the Royal Field Artillery 1 October 1882; served in Burma, 1885-87 (Medal with clasp); was appointed to the Royal Horse Artillery in 1886; was promoted Captain 1 October 1891. He was Adjutant, Royal Artillery, 17 July 1893 to 17 May 1896; Staff Captain, RA, Cork District, 18 May 1896 to 21 January 1898; Staff Captain, Headquarters of Army, 27 November to 19 December 1899; passed the Staff College, 1899; was promoted to Major 3 February 1900. He served in the South African War, 1899-1901, and was present at operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River; 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 August 1900. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Arthur William Gay, Major, Royal Artillery. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 29 October 1901. He was Brigade Major, RA, 3rd Army Corps, 24 October 1902 to 23 October 1905; GSO, 2nd Grade, Wessex Division, Southern Command, 1 April 1908 to 30 November 1910; promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 5 March, 1909, and to Colonel, 30 October 1912; commanding Royal Artillery, West Lancashire Division, Central Force, Home Defence, 1 April to 31 December 1914. Colonel Gay was Temporary Brigadier General 5 August 1914 to 9 March 1917; Brigadier General, R A, 28th Division, New Armies, BEF, 1 January to 8 March 1915; Brigadier General, RA, 22nd Division, New Armies, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, 29 June to 17 December 1915; Brigadier General, RA, 16th Army Corps, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force; British Salonika Expeditionary Force 18 December 1915 to 9 March, 1917; Temporary Major General 10 March 1917 to 30 May 1919; Divisional Commander, 26th Division, British Salonika Force. He was mentioned in Despatches, and was created a CB in 1916, and a CMG in 1917. He married, 3 October 1893, Maud, eldest daughter of Colonel R C Evanson, and they had one son.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Artillery |
