Pte 58019 Edward Heath

• Age: 22
• From: Wandsworth, London
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 28th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Cherisy Rd East Cem, Heninel
  Panel Ref: 32

Edward Heath was born on 09th November 1894 in Wandsworth, London and was baptised on 01st August 1897 at St John's Church, Battersea, London at the same time as younger sister Helen Victoria. He was the son of Edward Heath and his wife Betsy (nee Taylor). His parents were married on 18th April, 1875 at Holy Trinity Church, Haverstock Hill, Camden, London.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 12 Ballantine Street, Wandsworth, London . His father, Edward, is aged 46, born in Middlesex in 1855 and is a general labourer, his mother, Betsy is aged 44, born 1857 in Buckinghamshire and has no occupation listed. They have seven children at the time of the Census, who were all born in Wandsworth, London; Emily aged 13, born 1888, Harry aged 11, born 1890, Ethel aged 9, born 1892, James aged 7, born 1894 ,Edward aged 6, Helen aged 3, born 1898 and George aged 1, born 1900.

By 1911 the family are still living at 12 Ballantine Street. Edward now 16 is employed as a page boy. Father Edward is a 56 year old general labourer b.Gt Stanmore, mother Betsy is 55 b.Waddesdon Bucks. They advise that they have been married for 36 years and have had 13 children of whom 9 have survived. Edward's siblings still living at home, and all born Wandsworth are listed as; Ethel 19, James 17 tailors porter, Helen 13 at school, George 11 at school. 

Edward enlisted in London joining the London Divisional Cyclist Company as Private 16311. He transferred to the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 58019 and was killed in action on 28th April, 1917, aged 22.

He now rests at Cherisy Road East Cemetery, Heninel, France where he shares a headstone with Private Fred Comley of the 17th  Battalion who was also killed on the same day.

Edward's headstone bears the epitaph:

"DUTY CALLED HE ANSWERED GOD REST HIS SOUL, MOTHER"

The village of Heninel was captured in a snowstorm on 12 April 1917 by the 56th (London) and 21st Division. The 50th (Northumbrian) Division, advancing from Heninel on the two following days, captured Wancourt Tower. Cherisy Road East Cemetery was made by the 30th and 33rd Division Burial Officers in April 1917. The cemetery contains 82 First World War burials, 19 of which are unidentified.

Soldiers Effects to mother Betsy, and pension to father Edward James and mother Betsy.

His mother Betsy died December 1927 aged 71 and his father Edward died March 1942 aged 87.

We currently have no further information on Edward Heath. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.