Major General C.S.L. Hertzberg CB, MC, VD

Major General Charles Sumner Lund Hertzberg was born in Toronto in 1886. He graduated from the School of Practical Science, University of Toronto in 1905. He was a consulting engineer before and after World War I. He joined 2 Field Company Canadian Engineers (CE) in 1902, and was commissioned in 1904. He went overseas in 1916, and then to France with the 7th Field Company CE later that year. He was awarded the Military Cross in January 1917 for conspicuous gallantry in action. He was wounded in the chest at Vimy Ridge, and after a long period of convalescence was returned to Canada in June 1917 where he served as Adjutant of the Military Hospital in Toronto. In September 1918 he deployed as second in command 16th Field Company, CE which was part of the Siberian Expeditionary Force. Six months later he was promoted to major and appointed Commanding Officer. The Slovak Republic awarded him their Croix de Guerre for his services in Siberia.

On 16 November 1939 he was appointed commander of the 1st Division Engineers in the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. His subsequent rise was mercurial. In May 1940, while still CRE he was promoted to Colonel. Upon the formation of the British VII Corps in July 1940 he appointed Chief Engineer and promoted to Brigadier. In a headquarters reorganization in November he took direct control of all works, construction and all planning for future expansion and technical development. In 1941 as Chief Engineer 1st Canadian Corps he conducted 20 detailed inspections, covering all RCE units.

On 6 April 1942 he was promoted Major General and appointed Chief Engineer, 1st Canadian Army. He was the first Canadian engineer to hold that position. On 23 June 1943 he handed over the appointment to Brigadier Melville.

In October 1943 he went to India to advise Southeast Asia Command on the rapid construction of airfields using prefabricated bituminous surfacing. Major General Hertzberg died of smallpox in New Delhi in January 1944.