|
2nd Lt Martin Frederick Heath-Caldwell RHA |
Born:
24 October 1893 and was killed in WWI, 16 May 1915.
Son of: Maj
Gen Frederick Crofton Heath-Caldwell (1858-1945) and Constance
Mary Helsham Heath-Caldwell (nee Helsham-Jones, 1869-1957).
Brother of:
1. Rev
Capt Cuthbert Helsham Heath-Caldwell DSC RN (1889-1979) who
married Violet Charlotte Mary Heath-Caldwell (nee Palmer, 1885-1972).
2nd Lt Martin Frederick Heath-Caldwell: An Overview
The following account is from the book "Records of the Heath Family" Vol 1 and Vol 2.
Martin Frederick, born at Holmwood Oct. 24th, 1893, was educated at Winton House, Winchester, and Wellington College; in 1911 he passed into the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich.
He received his commission in RFA, December 19th, 1913, and went out with the 1st Division from Aldershot in August, 1914, as a 2nd Lieutenant in No 117 RFA. He served in that battery until January, 1915, when he obtained his jacket, and served in the Chestnut Troop, RHA, until killed in action on May 16th, 1915, near Richebourg L'Abone. He is buried in Bethune Cemetery, and subsequently mentioned in despatches.
Two family letters written by Martin read as follows:
RA Mess
Rollestone Camp
Amesbury
Thursday Evening, May 13 1914?
My Dear Cuthbert
I always seem to leave my scribble to you till the last moment, in
fact, I expect this will be too late to catch the last post. We
finished our practice today with a "brigade day" The &ldots;
was very pleased with the &ldots; performance on Tuesday & I
think the Brigade did pretty well today. The weather had been
bloody, but then we had such a splendid week to begin with that we
cannot well complain. Tomorrow one of the batteries of the 5th
brigade are &ldots; to troop off for the purpose of experimenting as
to the observation of fire by aeroplanes - so I think we shall have a
fairly slack day. Lately life has been a bit strenuous.
We start trekking back on Saturday, staying at Trenton on Sunday - as
we may not march on a Sunday. I am writing after dinner.
It is very cosy in here - a good many people playing cards. The
&ldots; & majors do it for action - we always have a game of
poker on. However I think it is rather a mistake to play every
evening as some people do. Of course it is possible to be a
little expensive - though one usually seems to keep about even on the
whole. The first night I was roped in at Aldershot I ended up
about 11 shillings down, but have since recovered it! I &
John Tucker mobiked over to Portsmouth last Saturday. Awfully
pretty run then by Salisbury, Romsey, and Botely. Found a host
of cousins there, all rather owlish after prolonged ball
dancing. Under the "Skippency" of Phil Crofton we
went for a sail on Spithead on Sunday afternoon. John Tucker
was violently ill which rather cast a gloom on the proceedings, &
his bad example had a deteriorating effect on me & I didn't feel
very happy coming back. We had some adventures coming back here
at night. I &ldots; missed the hindquarters of a horse which
was &ldots; the road near here. One could not see him till
right onto him. John, according to his account, went slap into
the animal - though I am inclined to think the bank, as the horse was
not hurt. Anyhow there was a crash and I hailed a passing car
& put him into it & hid the bike behind the hedge where it
was recovered by his servant next morning & having cursed the
orderly on the horse proceeded without further incident. Of
course the silly ass with a shying horse ought never to have been
riding along the road at night. He could have easily rode along
the fields at the side. John was all right next morning &ldots;
shaken rather & his knee knocked. I am brigade orderly
officer today & my first job is to go around the horses &
turn out the guard sometime during the night. The &ldots; no
pleasant job on a wet night. It took me an hour last time.
So no more now.
Yours etc
Martin
1915, 7p.m. Jan 20
My dear Mother
Your letters of 11th & 12th came today. I have yet no
orders, it really is most aggravating. I must be patient.
I am longing to be off. A new major has turned up. I say
this quite often don't I? He seems a good sort, a "dug
out" though, and doesn't know much about this sort of warfare I
expect. Fanshaw said yesterday he had sent a note to Ken
Lindsay & done something else so I thanked him profusely, so I
hope everything will be all right. I spent a comfortable night
at the observation station last night, got out of my flea by about
9.30a.m.! I then drew a most beautiful panorama, so that we can
show the &ldots; when he comes in next, in fact, a piece of "eye
wash". It is I think useful too as he can mark targets on
it to which we have found the range and switch. I am writing
after dinner. The major is a great spinner of yarns, has
already spun about a dozen, mostly not repeatable in the drawing
room! He is now busy occupied in drafting a letter to Harrods
who have been sending us stuff for the men over & above the value
of the original deposit we paid out of Battery fund. However we
are so casual about these things that I am afraid we can hope to do
little but "twist their tales".
Well no more now.
Your very affectionate son
Martin.
If you have any information to add to what is listed please contact
me on jj@jjhc.info
(Home)