© WithThanks to GGSA North West

© WithThanks to GGSA North West

Library of Congress, R.M.S. Campania

Fettes College War Memorial with thanks

Bernard Armstrong Hebeler was born the eldest son, at Hampton Court, in 1869, baptised on the 12th May at St John's, Alnmouth, to 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, also a familiar figure at Alnmouth Golf club, and his wife Edith (Rendel) Hebeler, daughter of the late James Meadows Rendel, F.R.S., They were married on the 26th September 1867 at St John's Paddington, London.

Bernard was residing with his grand mother in 1871. Christine Hebeler, at Upton Lodge.

He was the older brother to Roland Stuart Hebeler who attended the same school.

Bernard was a nephew to Mr Rendel of Sydenham Terrace, Newcastle, also to Lord Rendel. He was also first cousin to Captain Josiah Wedgwood, Harracles, Westgate Road, Newcastle, who went out to the front in the Service Battery of the 1st Northumberland Artillery Volunteers.

After schooling at Letton Lodge Preparatory School, Alnwick, he went to Fettes College, Edinburgh, 1883 to 1887, then emigrated to North America, to Rockdale, Carbon County, Wyoming, where he took up ranching, later being joined by his brother and partner Roland.

Like his brother he made trips back to England, on June 6th 1896, he left Southampton for the trip to New York on the liner S.S. 'City of New York, on the 11th March 1899 he travelled on the RMS 'Campania' from Liverpool to New York.

On a visit home Roland, his brother, enrolled into the 14th Company, Northumberland Yeomanry to take part in the South African war. Bernard on hearing this went back to England and did likewise. Bernard arrived too late for his troopship but sailed to South Africa on the liner 'Norman', Ship nu 104162, departing from Liverpool, on the 9th February, embarking at Cape Town, at his own expense, joining the 14th company, 5th Imperial Yeomanry.

He enlisted on the 1st February 1900, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, he was 5 feet 7 1/2 inches high, 167 lbs, a light complexion, Blue eyes and Light Hair, he also had a scar on his forehead over his left eye, his medical examination took place on the 25th January 1900. Service number 3352. On his service record is a note which says: "Killed at Hartebeesteps [Saturday], 16th January 1901".

In action, Bernard was renowned for his markmanship, coolness, and resource, and was said to be one of the bravest and best soldiers in the company. He took part in many engagements, being conspicuous by outstandingly gallant behaviour. In an early engagement he carried a wounded comrade to safety under extremely heavy fire.

He had served 1 year 16 days. He carried a comrade to a place of safety, but instead of retiring he continued to fight.

"At the time of his death, he was serving with Lord Methuen's column, and the fight in which he was killed was one of the stiffest in the war. Hebeler was wounded quite early on in the engagement in the leg, and the captain wanted him to go back to the rear to get it dressed, but he refused, and soon after was shot through the head".

From the Captain of his squadron : There was no better or braver soldier in the whole regiment, and I always considered him and thought of him as an excellent comrade; I had recommended him for a mention in despatches, also for a commission in the new Yeomanry.

From a fellow trooper: Bernard met his death, where he always was, right in the very front...There was no braver or better man than he, and Captain Bates said to me afterwards- "I think I would rather have lost any man in the squadron than poor Hebeler."

Source: "In Memoriam" which was printed in the June 1901 edition of The Fettesian, our school magazine.

In December 1900, the school magazine announced that work was to commence on the memorial, and named those who were to appear on it. By this stage, Lt Douglas Oliver of the 2nd Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, had died at Myistroom on 27 August 1900, of wounds received in action two days previously. Four months later came the news that another old boy was dead; Bernard Armstrong Hebeler, killed at Hartebeestfontein on 18 February 1901. He had sailed to South Africa at his own expense, and had been 'conspicuous for his gallant behaviour', carrying a wounded comrade to safety under fire and carrying on fighting, despite a leg wound, until he was shot through the head. His Captain wrote that 'there was no better or braver soldier in the whole regiment' and a fellow-trooper added that he 'met his death, where he always was, right in the very front'. A small plaque, depicting one soldier cradling another, was put up in the school, but as it did not have a name on it a workman put it in storage during refurbishment and it has only just been rediscovered.

Hebeler’s would be the final name on the memorial, but it can reasonably be argued that at least four others ought to be on it (had there been room on it, which there is not).

Source: "Carrying On:Fettes College, War and the World 1870-2010" by Mr David McDowell.

He died on the 18th February 1901 at Hartebeestfontein. Bernard was entitled to the Queen's South Africa Medal also with 4 clasps, like his brother.

In his will dated 8th January 1902, he left effects of £2490 15s 3d to Henry Leycoster Hebeler a brewer.

In Dover, the Honorary Secretary [Travers B. Harby], of the South African War Memorial wrote a letter 8th November 1911, to the Dover Express of 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.

Many Thanks to Fettes College for source material.

Bernard Armstrong Hebeler is remembered in Alnmouth on A10.08, in Alnwick on A11.24 and in Newcastle upon Tyne on NUT017, NUT094, in NUT195 page 22 and in NUT236, page 317.

He is also remembered at Dover on the Dover War Memorial Project.

Imperial Yeomanry Nominal Roll
The Imperial Yeomanry History Part 1
Anglo Boer War website
Imperial Yeomanry history
The Genealogical Society of South Africa