De Ruvigney Roll of Honour Vol 3 page 134

Medal Index Card

Scotsman Thursday 23/09/1915

Surrey Advertiser Monday 01/01/1917

Roland Stuart Hebeler was one of five children, born in April 1871, baptised 7th May 1871, at St Peter's at Upton Lodge, Broadstairs. He was the second son of the late Frederick [Fred], Prickett Hebeler, [born 24th October 1835, at Marylebone, London, baptised 14th January 1836], of Dover, a bank manager for many years at Alnwick, before residing at Dover, and his wife Edith (Rendel) Hebeler, daughter of the late James Meadows Rendel, F.R.S., They were married 26th September 1867 at St John's Paddington, London.

The five children were Bernard Armstrong Hebeler , Roland Stuart Hebeler, Clement Hebeler, Harry Hebeler and Jessie Frances Hebeler.
Roland Stuart Hebeler was also brother-in-law to Captain George Henry Hall Scott.

Frederick Prickett Hebeler's father was Bernard Hebeler, born 1815, at Bavaria, Germany, who died on the 20th March 1862, at 70 Portland Place, London, and Upton Lodge, St Peter's Kent. He left his widow £1826 14s 2d in his will. Bernard was a Prussian Consul General in London for over 30 years. His wife was Caroline (Richardson) Hebeler who was born on the 9th December 1806 at Brighton, Sussex, baptised on the 10th January 1807 at St Nicholas's, Brighton, Sussex. She was the daughter of Rowland Richardson Snr., and Sarah (Prickett) Richardson. [One of 13 children]. She died on the 6th April 1899, at Upton Lodge, Broadstairs, Kent. They were married on the 9th September 1830 at Bloomsbury, St George, London. They resided at Abbeyfield, Edgeborough Road, Guildford.

Bernard and his wife had nine children, Bernard Richardson Hebeler, born 1832, died 1910. Clara Georgina Hebeler, born 1835 died 1904, Frederick Prickett Hebeler, born 24th October 1835, died 16th February 1914, Edith Hebeler, born 1839 died 1922, Jessie Walter Hebeler, born 1839, Margaret Theodora Hebeler, born 1839, died 1895, Adelaide Agnes Hebeler, born 1840, died 1926, Henry Adolphus Hebeler, born 1841, died 1913, Caroline Friederike Beuth Hebeler, born 1843, died 1925.

[Edith Hebeler was a victim of a theft by Willam Glew age 16, who stole articles from her from the High School to the value of 15s. William was sent to Borstal, Monday 21st October 1918].

Frederick Prickett was vice-president of the Guildford Constitutional Club.

In 1881, Roland was a boarder at Letton Lodge Preparatory School, Alnmouth as a scholar. He was educated at Canon Moore's, Alnmouth, and also by Mr Kitchener, of Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Roland Stuart emigrated to North America about 1890, to join his brother Bernard Armstrong Hebeler who was ranching, they were partners. Roland made a few trips back to England. In 1891, Roland returned from such a trip from New York via Liverpool on the 29th November 1891 on the S.S. Servia, Ship number 84172.

He volunteered to go into the 14th Company of the 5th Imperial Yeomanry as a trooper with a service number 3180, and was sent to South Africa on the 27th February, 1900. His brother Bernard Armstrong Hebeler arrived later from North America, at his own expense, and served with him, his service number was 3145, but he was unfortunately killed. Roland gained the Queen's South Africa Medal with four clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal; his brother was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal also with 4 clasps.

In 1902, Roland, one of the nephews, was bequeathed 1,000 £1 shares in Armstrong, Whitworth and Co, from the will of Mr Hamilton Owen Rendel, 7 Sydenham Terrace, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, who died on the 17th September.

Roland Stuart Hebler was married to Janet Mary Scott, born 16th October 1877, baptised 6th December 1877, who was a sister to Captain George Henry Hall Scott, on May 1st 1903 at Alnmouth at St John's Church. Tthey had three children.

On Friday 1st May 1903 over 100 inhabitants of the village of Lesbury were entertained by Sir Henry and Lady Scott, parents of the bride, in celebration of Roland's wedding in the school-room at Lesbury. An excellent supper was provided by Mr and Mrs Joseph Gray, of the Plough Hotel, Alnwick. The chair was occupied by Mr Adam Scott, brother of the bride. The music was supplied by a string band under the direction of Mr Mark Swan, jnr., of Alnwick.

Roland Stuart Hebeler was a nephew of Lord Rendel and he acted as his uncle's agent for the Hatchlands Estate, which now belongs to the National Trust}.

Roland Stuart Hebeler was also a member of the Surrey Territorial Rifle Association and on the 14th May 1910, he competed at Bisley in the Spoon Competition for 200, 500 and 600 yards and came 5th overall with a total of 93. However, in his class D, he came third. Prior to this, on the 27th April, he competed in the Spoon Shot Competition also at Bisley. On the Saturday 30th April, a competition took place under conditions approaching what might exist in actual service. Eight shots were fired at 200 yards at a grey blue target 40 inches in diameter that was exposed eight times for a period of three seconds each time. The highest possible score was 32. R.S. Hebeler of Guildford manage to get 28 points.

In Dover, the Honorary Secretary, Travers B. Harby, of the South African War Memorial wrote a letter on 8th November 1911, to the Dover Express regarding a list of names of those from the Borough who died in the South African War. Trooper B. A. Hebeler, Northumberland Yeomanry was mentioned along with eleven other names. He was killed on the 18th February 1901.

In February 1905, Roland returned to England from New York via Liverpool on the Cunard liner R.M.S. Umbria Ship number 91159. Operated by the Cunard Steamship Company Ltd.

In February 1912, Roland was an executor and trustee of Sir Henry Hall Scott, along with Lady Scott, Adam Scott, G.H.H. Scott, Norman Reid and Mr Thomas Emerson Forster.

In April 1914, he was elected to represent West Horsley on the Guildford Rural District Council and Guardians in succession to Mr H. M. Weston, who had resigned. He was well known in agricultural circles and was a leading member in the formation of the Surrey's Farmers' Association, where he became chairman of the Finance Committee. He was also a member on the General Committee.

He was an all round sportsman, and was a great polo player, probably one of the best known in the South of England, an enthusiastic deer stalker and very keen on rifle clubs. He was a crack shot, and was a familiar figure on the ranges of his own village club and the Guildford Rifle Club. He was a keen supporter of the West Horsley Club, to which he donated rifles.

He obtained a commission, and on the 19th September 1914, was gazetted a temporary Captain. Roland was appointed by the War Office in the early part of the War in connection with the purchase of horses for the Army. He went to France in July 1915, from Guildford.

When the 7th Battalion were abroad, Mrs Hebeler threw herself into organising and appealing for funds, for comforts for the troops abroad.

In the 1911 Census, Roland age 39, described as a Land Agent, was residing with his wife at Deve Place, Ripley Lane, West Horsley, Leatherhead, with Bernard Adam, age 7, born 1904, married Ellen Isolda Liddell at St Marks, North Audley Street in 1933, Roland Stuart Scott, Hebeler age 3, born 1907 and Hetty Margaret Regina Hebeler, age 5, born 1905.

[She married, firstly, Major Hercules Dermot Wilfrid Pakenham, son of Colonel Hercules Arthur Pakenham and Lillian Blanche Georgiana Ashley, on 9 November 1927. She married, secondly, Lt.-Col. Richard Walter Byng Pembroke on 3 August 1950. She and Lt.-Col. Richard Walter Byng Pembroke were divorced in 1959. From the 9th November 1927, her married name became Pakenham. From the 3rd August 1950, her married name became Pembroke. Children of Hetty Margaret Hebeler and Major Hercules Dermot Wilfrid Pakenham. Ann Penelope Pakenham, born 8th August 1928, Katherine Susan Pakenham, born 1st December 1930 and Hercules Michael Roland Pakenham born 4th February 1935].

Captain Roland Stuart Hebeler embarked for France on the 26/27th July from Folkestone on the S.S. Victoria, ship nu 115316, to Boulogne, he then entrained for Bertangles at 9pm.

On the 15th September, at Sub-Sector D, Becourt. The following incident happened.
At 3.15pm enemy exploded a mine making a crater about 20 [feet] from parapet of TAMBOUR. On a report being received that a shelter had fallen in & buried some men in TAMBOUR, Capt R.S. Hebeler & Lieut L.W.M. Howard went to investigate. A bomb from a trench-mortar fell in the trench in which they were, killing Lt. Howard & mortally wounding Capt Hebeler, a corporal & 1 man were wounded by the same bomb. The report as to the shelter was much exaggerated. Capt Hebeler died in the Central Clearing Station, Corbie. Source : War Diary 7th Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment.

7th (Service) Battalion, September 1914 Formed at Guildford as part of the Second New Army (K2) and then moved to Purfleet to join the 55th Brigade of the 18th Division then moved to Colchester. May 1915 Moved to Salisbury Plain. 27.07.1915 Mobilised for war and landed at Boulogne. 1916 The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights, The Battle of the Ancre. 1917, Operations on the Ancre, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Third Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, First Battle of Passchendaele, The Second Battle of Passchendaele. 1918, The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre. 11.11.1918 Ended the war at Pommereuil east of Le Cateau, France.

He died from his wounds on the 16th September, at Corbie Central Clearing Station.

A number of letters were sent in from men of the Queen's referring to the late Captain Hebeler. Private H. Jones, 7th Battalion, son of Mr C. Jones of 22 Manor Road, Stoughton, wrote : I am sorry to say we lost our captain (Captain Hebeler) and one of our lieutenants (Lieut. Mowbray Howard). Both were killed by a shell. We shall never get another captain like him. WE could all have a good cry. Private Jones was in the borough Surveyor's office at Guildford before enlisting.

His brother-in-law Captain G.H.H. Scott took over command of 'C' Company, on the 16th October 1915, which formerly was commanded by Captain Roland Stuart Hebeler.

In his will, Roland Stuart Hebeler of Dene Place, West Horsley, Surrey, left effects of £13652 18s 4d to Janet Mary Hebeler, widow. Dated 1th December 1915.

A funeral service was held in France, no memorial service was held in England.

His wife erected Stained Glass Windows to him, plus a War Memorial plaque at East Clandon.

The stained glass windows were unveiled on the 24th December 1916, in East Clandon Church by Mrs Hebeler who also added another plain glass window to the church.
Source : Surrey Advertiser Monday 01/01/1917.

Acknowledgments to Elspeth Connaty who says: Captain Roland Stuart Hebeler was my husband’s great uncle.

Roland Stuart Hebeler is remembered in Alnmouth on A10.09 and A10.12 at Newcastle in NUT195 page 21, in NUT236 page 317.

Nominal Roll of the Imperial Yeomanary
The Imperial Yeomanry Part 1 1900
West Surrey War Diaries WW1
18th Division in WW1
The CWGC entry for Captain Hebeler