[4] He transferred into the 1st Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in 1889, was promoted to captain on 6 February 1889 with a brevet rank of major the following day.

Herbert Lawrence, later a full general, as a staff captain in the intelligence department of the War Office in May 1898.

Following the end of the Second Boer War in June 1902, he returned to the United Kingdom on board the SS Ortona, which arrived in Southampton in September that year.

[8] On arrival he transferred to the command of the 1st Battalion stationed at Aldershot Garrison,[9] with the substantive rank of lieutenant colonel from 7 September 1902.

[11] At the outbreak of the First World War, Heath had recently relinquished command of the 11th Brigade to Brigadier General Aylmer Hunter-Weston.