| Heath | Gerard Moore | | Major | HEATH, GERARD MOORE, Major, was born 7 June 1863, youngest son of Admiral Sir Leopold George Heath, KCB, and of Mary Marsh, his wife. He was educated at Wimbledon and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and joined the Royal Engineers, as Lieutenant, 22 February 1882. He served in the Bechuanaland Expedition, 1884-85, with the Telegraph Battalion, and became Captain 3 August 1890. He served in Chitral, with the Relief Force, in 1895. He received the Medal and clasp. Captain Heath was promoted Major 4 October 1899. He served in the South African War, 1899-1902, taking part in the operations in Natal in 1899, including the action at Lombard's Kop. He served during the defence of Ladysmith, when he was in charge of a balloon section, and afterwards in command of a Field Troop, RE. He took part in the operations in Natal in 1900, including the action at Laing's Nek, and in the operations in the Transvaal in 1900, including the actions at Belfast and Lydenberg. He was present in the operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony from 1900 to 1902, serving as DAAG 11 December 1901 to 18 March, 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches by Sir G S White, 23 March 1900, and by Sir R H Buller, 9 November 1900 [London Gazette, 8 February 1901]; was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 22 August 1902; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps; King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "Gerard Moore Heath, Major, Royal Engineers. In recognition of services during the recent operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented to him 3 June 1901. He was Instructor, School of Military Engineering, 11 June 1902 to 10 June 1906; Lieutenant Colonel 18 August 1903; GSO, 1st Grade, 3 June 1910 to 8 December 1911; Temporary Brigadier General, General Staff, South Africa, 16 March 1912 to the outbreak of the Great War. He served in the European War from 1914; as Inspector of Royal Engineers 21 September 1914 to 6 May 1915; Chief Engineer 7 May 1915; Temporary Major General 6 November 1915, on appointment as Chief Engineer, First Army; was promoted Major General for distinguished service in the field, and became Engineer-in-Chief to the British Armies in France in November 1917, which post he held until the end of the war. He was six times mentioned in Despatches. He was created a CB and KCMG. Major General C M Heath married, in 1885, Mary, youngest daughter of Philip Henry Egerton.
KCMG, CB (m), DSO, IGS 1895 (1) RofC (Capt RE), QSA (5) CC DofL OFS LN Belf (Maj DSO RE), KSA (2) (Maj DSO RE), 1914-15 Star (Brig-Gen DSO), BWM, Victory Medal (Maj-Gen), 1897 Jubilee, Croix de Guerre (France) with 2 palms, Distinguished service Medal (USA), Order of St Stanislaus (Russia) Grand Cross. Hamilton 1982 £3,250. Hamilton 1983 £2,925. DNW Miniatures only Apr 03 £390.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Engineers |
