A good South Africa Railway Transportation Officer’s Distinguished Service Order and Mention in Despatches group awarded to Major B.C. Heald, South African Railway Regiment who would be awarded the Distinguished Service Order in the London Gazette of 22nd August 1918 for his work while responsible for all Railway transport arrangement in the Union in connection with the German South West Africa Campaign, the success achieved largely being due to his conspicuous ability and outstanding powers of organisation. His tact and unfailing devotion to duty combined with his great practical knowledge was invaluable, and it would be difficult to exaggerate the splendid assistance rendered by Major Heald who merits special recognition. He would additionally be Mentioned in Despatches in the London Gazette of 22nd August 1918 for service in South West Africa.
Group of 3: Distinguished Service Order, GVR cypher, silver gilt and enamels complete with top bar; British War Medal and Victory Medal, with Mention in Despatches oak leaf emblem; (MJR B.C. HEALD.) loose-mounted for wear.
Condition: one small chip to the enamel of the obverse of the DSO on the wreath at 5 o’clock loose-mounted for wear, otherwise, Good Very Fine
Ben Cyril Heald would be appointed as a Railway Transportation Officer on 24th October 1914, he had served on the Supernumerary List of the Active Citizen Force and would be subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his service in the Railway Regiment in the London Gazette of 22nd August 1918, the recommendation reading:
‘This officer was responsible for all Railway transport arrangement in the Union in connection with the German South West African Campaign and the success achieved was largely due to his conspicuous ability and outstanding powers of organisation. His tact and unfailing devotion to duty combined with his great practical knowledge was invaluable, and it would be difficult to exaggerate the splendid assistance rendered by Major Heald who merits special recognition. During the period of active operations his work was of such a nature that I consider he deserves high reward and recommend Major Heald for the D.S.O.’
Heald arrived back at Algoa Bay, Port Elizabeth from England on 12th September 1923 from England after six months absence, and was heartily welcomed by all sections of the staff at the South African Railways and Harbours Magazine
He resigned his commission from the 5th (Transportation) Battalion, Railways and Harbours Brigade on 17th September 1926 and is listed as retired in the Union Defence Forces General Orders having reached the age limit on 19th July 1927 this being noted in the South African Railways & Harbours Magazine
