Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

1888

Letter to FCHC

War Office 

13th February 1888

My dear Heath,

I did not know where you were or I would have written to you myself to congratulate. I should have been ungrateful indeed if I had not done all in my power to bring your services to notice.

And I am sure Sir Gerald Graham felt as I do, and gave weight to the fact that you had served so long and faithfully at the defence of Suakin, between the two expeditions.

I hope all the "good" Suakinese have been well treated - Chermside, Killy, Stopford, Wood, yourself, Thomson and Sergt. Major Mitchell.

I wish I could have done something for the hardworking and indefatigable "Drew," but the naval doctors have carefully arranged to prevent any more rising or being rewarded out of their turn.

 Yours very truly,

A.G. Freemantle

Believe me I shall always follow your career with the greatest interest.

Gerard Heath in Meerut, India 1888

Gerard Heath in India 1888 with Subedar Sood Singh seated left, , Lieut.G.M.Harper seated on ground,, Lieut.A.E.Sandbach far right on chair, and Gerard M. Heath seated far right on ground. at Meerut. Gerard had been sent the year before to India to join the Bengal Sappers and Miners.

4th October 1899.Gerard Moore Heath becomes a Major in the Army.

The Murder of a Gamekeeper - Funeral for the Victim

The interment of the mortal remains of William Groombridge, the victim of the brutal murder near Ockley, on Saturday, the 25th ult. took place in the peaceful littlechurchyard of Coldharbour, on Friday afternoon. 
Shortly after two o'clock the cortege left the deceased's mother's house, the coffin being borne on the shoulders of six members of the sect known as the Exclusive Brethren. The chief mourners were the widowed mother, the two brothers and two sisters. A very large number of people, including gamekeepers, night-watchers, and others employed on neighbouring estates, with inhabitants of that and the adjoining parishes, had congregated in the road in front of the house, and as the procession  wended its way to the churchyard those assembled joined in behind. 

On arrival the body was taken direct to the grave-side, situated in the eastern portion of the churchyard, and close to the spot where the remains of the deceased's father already lie buried. The funeral service of the Brethren was then gone through, those taking part being Colonel Holland (Bognor), Mr. Nunnery and Mr. Gregory. The service throughout was of an earnest and solemn character, and seldom, if ever, has an event of so impressive a nature been known in the history of the village. 

Sympathy for the widowed mother and family manifested itself on every hand, it being computed that over 200 people assembled round the grave, and this not-withstanding that rain fell in torrents during the whole of the time. Deceased's brother gamekeepers attended in large numbers to show their respect for one whose memory will ever remain green in their hearts. 

Amongst those to be noticed were Mr. E.Dawney, gamekeeper to Admiral Sir Leopold Heath (Anstie Grange), Mr W. G. Scholey, sne., gamekeeper to Mr. F. Pennington (Broome Hall), Mr. Tulett, gamekeeper to Mr. L.H. Broadwood (Lyne), Mr. J. Still, gamekeeper to Mr. H. Lee Steere, and also gamekeepers and others from Kitlands (Mr Douglasd Heath), Redlands, (Messrs. Lascelles and Tickner), Tillingbourne, etc. 

Amongst the grave-side were Mr. Cuthbert Heath, Mr H.E. Malden, the Rev. R.A.Pelly, Captain Barry (Dorking), and Messrs. Roffey, Harrison, Colyer, Lipscombe, R. Smith, Weller, Mitchell, Towler, Edwards, Greaves, Pavings, G.Smith, E. Smith, Stephen Weller, junr., etc. 

A large number of households from Kitlands were also present. The coffin bore the following inscription: "William Groombridge, died November 24th, 1888, aged 23 years." On the lid were placed some beautiful wreaths, some of which were sent by the gamekeepers and others employed upon Kitlands and Broome Hall estates. 

We understand that Mr. Douglas Heath very generously offered to defray the whole of the funeral expenses.