Christian | Gerard | | Captain | CHRISTIAN, GERARD, Captain, was born 2 June, 1867, at Valetta, Malta, son of Alfred Christian, CMG, and Mrs Alfred Christian (nee Miss Hall, of Dunglass). He was educated at Cheltenham College, and joined the Yorkshire Regiment as Second Lieutenant 5 February 1887; became Lieutenant 2 May 1890; was Adjutant, Yorkshire Regiment, 16 January 1897 to 15 January 1901; was promoted to Captain 17 August 1898. He served in the South African War, 1899-1902, as Captain and Adjutant, 1st Battalion He was present at the Relief of Kimberley; took part in the operations in the Orange Free State, February and March, 1900, including operations at Paardeberg; actions at Poplar Grove and Driefontein; operations in the Transvaal, cast of Pretoria, including action at Belfast; operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, including action at Colesberg. Captain Christian was Staff Officer of the Town Guards in the Cape Peninsula. He took part in the operations in the Transvaal from 30 November 1900, to 21 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; 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, 27 September 1901]: "Gerard Christian, Captain, Yorkshire Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 24 October 1902. He became Major 21 January 1906, and was Lieutenant Colonel, Yorkshire Regiment, 28 March, 1911 to 13 April, 1913. He became Colonel 15 June 1914, and Temporary Brigadier General 14 April 1915; commanded the 4th Brigade in India during the Mohmand operations August to December 1915. He was mentioned in Despatches. Brigadier-General G Christian commanded the 36th Brigade, Indian Expeditionary Force in Mesopotamia, December 1915 to 1 October 1916, and was mentioned in Despatches. He was Inspector of Infantry, HQ, India, 28 December 1916, to 2 October 1918; was created a CB (Military), 1916, and received the Serbian Order of the White Eagle with Swords. He became Inspector of Infantry in India. Lieutenant Colonel Christian married, 16 September 1913, in London, SW, Evelyn Hilliard, daughter of E B Hilliard, of Writtle, Essex.
CB (m), CIE, DSO, QSA (4) RofK Paard Drief Belf (Capt Yorks Regt), KSA (2) (Capt DSO Yorks Regt), 1914-15 Star (Brig-Gen DSO) BWM, Victory Medal with MID, (Brig-Gen), IGS 1908 Afghanistan NWF 1919 (Brig-Gen, Staff) Order of the Whire Eagle (Serbia) 3rd Class with swords. Armoury 1987 £4000.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Princess of Wales's Own) Yorkshire Regiment |