Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Leonard (Len) Heap was born on 8 October 1893 in Temuka. He was the son of John James and Elizabeth Heap (nee Tombs). At the time of his enlistment on 1 June 1914, Leonard described himself as Anglican, single (a widower), a labourer in the employ of Mr J. Petrie, of Coldstream, Rangiora. His medical examiner described him as being 5 feet 5 and a half inches tall, 140lb, with a chest measurement of 33 inches. He was of a fair complexion with grey eyes and light brown hair. Private Heap, Serial No. 6/473 was attached to the 2nd Battalion Canterbury Infantry Regiment. After his basic training Len left New Zealand, with HMNZT 11 Athena on 16 October 1914 and was posted to Egypt on 4 December 1914. He embarked for the Dardanelles on 12 April 1915. After the campaign Len was posted to Alexandria, from which he embarked for England on board the Nile where he was transferred to the Training Battalion in ‘Sling’ on 29 May 1916. He disembarked at Devonport on 9 June 1916. Len was promoted to Lance Corporal on 8 August 1915, Temporary Corporal on 21 October 1915, Temporary Sergeant on 24 January 1916, Sergeant on the 4 March 1916, Temporary Company Sergeant Major on 28 October 1916, and, on the same day, as Company Sergeant Major 2nd Class (CSM II). Len left England on 18 March 1918 on board the Willochra, on instructional duty to Trentham Camp. Len had had tests before he left for home, but results did not arrive before he left port. Len had contracted influenza in November 1918, and when he reached Trentham Camp he spent five weeks in hospital. Once he was convalescing in the beginning of 1919 he was placed on the temporary staff in Christchurch. Len’s health did not improve - he suffered from headaches and fainted three times while on parade. Len went before a medical board and it was of the opinion that he was suffering from Cardiac debility following influenza contracted in camp in November 1918. He also has Glycosuria and it was considered advisable that he should be admitted to hospital for further observation. Len was discharged on 8 December 1918. Len re-joined the army on 8 August 1919 at Christchurch. He listed his address as Church Street, Rangiora. He was given the position of Staff Sergeant of the New Zealand Permanent staff. He took up the position on 25 May 1920 with a salary of 250 pound per annum. By this time he was 25 years and 9 months old. He listed his wife’s birth date as 17 April 1897 and the date of birth of his child as 21 October 1919. He was again discharged from the army on 5 July 1922 when the military services were reduced in size. Len later married Ina Myrtle (Howard) (Carver) (nee Pierce). Ina’s children Len and Betty took the surname of Heap. Len died aged 80 on 28 September 1974 at Timaru, and is buried in the Returned Services Association of the Temuka Cemetery.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database.[16 August 2015]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5539 0052891).[2 October 2016].

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

David Batchelor, South Canterbury Museum; Dianne Hall

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.