Extracts and Comments
(from Sources as shown) | |
Murray: 'B'Sqn., killed Pienaar's River 22.9.1900.
B5204: born 1873 Singleton NSW station hand.
Wallace2: ?Eland's R.
Source:# 512 killed in action.
URL1: Petronella Memorial, Pte. FW WADDELL NSW Bushmen died 27.9.1900.
URL2: photo.
URL5: FW WADDELL 'B'Sqn. photo #51.
URL6: Singleton NSW.
URL7: killed at Pienaars R. Station 42 miles N. of Pretoria.
URL8: Memorial to the Late Trooper WADDELL. The Unveiling Ceremony. Despite the very inclement weather that prevailed, there was a large and representative gathering of tbe professional, commercial and social life of the town and district at Burdekin Park yesterday (Sunday 27.9.1903) afternoon, to witness the unveiling of the monument erected on that recreation area to the memory of Trooper Herby WADDELL, a native of Singleton, and member of the Bushmen's Contingent, who fell at Piennar's River on the 27.9.1900, during the progress of the late Boer war. The Mayoress of Singleton (Mrs. FA BENNETT) performed the ceremony of unveiling the memorial, which had been erected by means of a shilling subscription fund inaugurated by Mr. Alex. MORRISON, proprietor of the 'Singleton Budget.' A pleasing feature of the afternoon's proceedings was the presence of a large number of ladies, who braved the elements to witness a function unique to Singleton. A detachment of C Company 4th Infantry Regiment waa present in review order under Sergeant SPARKES, the Singleton Half Squadron of Lancers, however, was not represented. The Mayor of Singleton (Mr. FA BENNETT), who presided, opened the proceedings of the afternoon by stating that it was a matter for sincere congratulation that the only reason that there was not a more demonstrative gathering present was because of the bountiful rains that were falling throughout the district. However, the object of their assembling there that day was not for show, but to do honour to the memory of a brave soldier, - Trooper Herby WADDELL - who fell in South Africa while fighting for his country, in the late Boer war. And though his bones lay in foreign soil, it was considered meet and proper that they should have something by way of a memorial in his native town. That memorial had now been erected on that Park, and would later on be unveiled. A number of apologies had been received as follows - Sir Edmund BARTON wrote, that he considered it his duty to attend, if possible, on so touching an occasion, and to assist in paying a just tribute to the memory of an Australian soldier who fell in loyalty to the Empire; He, however, deeply regretted that it would be impossible for him to be present on that occasion. The Rev. JHA AULD, of Bombala, who was Chaplain of the Bushman's Contingent, and who read tho burial service over Herby WADDELL's grave wired his regret that he could not go and do honour to the memory of WADDELL - as brave a soldier as ever fought and fell. An accident compelled his absence. The Very Rev. Father MEAGHER wrote that 'I would very much like to be present at the unveiling of the monument next Sunday in Burdekin Park to the late WH WADDELL, who fell in the late war in South Africa, if for no other reason than to show my respect for him and my sympathy with his family, but I regret that my duties on Sunday next will prevent me from availing of your kind invitation to be present. Hoping the demonstration will be worthy in every way of tbe brave man whose memory it is intended to honour.' Other letters of apology had also been received from Sir John SEE, Major-General HUTTON, General FINN, Captain RANCLAUD, Captain MARKWELL, his Lordship Br. STANTON (Bishop of Newcastle), Mr. EAL SHARPE, PM (Maitland), Rev. Father KILGALLEN, Lieutenant PRENTICE (West Maitland), Mr. JAK SHAW (Scone), Alderman YORK, Mr. Richard BAILEY (West Maitland), and others. Continuing, Mr. BENNETT stated that, as he had already remarked, they had assembled tbat afternoon to honour the memory of a brave soldier and a native of the town. The memorial that was to be shortly unveiled had been erected with tbe aid of shilling subscriptions that had been raised by the proprietor of the 'Singleton Budget.' It might to some appear that there had been an unnecessary delay in the erection of the memorial, and it therefore would not be out of place if he was to make an explanation that should enable those, to whom it might appear there had been unnecessary delay, to brush aside such a view. After the proprietor of the 'Budget' had raised about £30 another movement, principally initiated by the military folk, was started in the town, and the treasurer (Mr. ADDISON) asked Mr. MERRISON to stay his hand until such a time as a sufficient sum had been raised so that something worthy of the man could be erected. However, after the lapse of time, no agreement was come to towards amalgamating both funds. And it appeared to be the best thing, as it had turned out. This, because they now had two memorials in the town to Trooper WADDELL's memory - the one in the Presbyterian Church, of which deceased was a member, and the other in that Park, and which they had met that day to unveil. It could have been easily erected a few months ago, but it was decided to let it stand over until the anniversary of Trooper WADDELL's death, which occurred that day. On the 27th September 1900, Trooper Herby WADDELL fell in South Africa while fighting for his Sovereign and his country, and to-day they met on that park to do honour to his memory. After a selection by the Singleton Band, Mr. CH DIGHT MLA, rose and said they had met there to honour the memory of one who fell in South Africa, one who was a native of the district, one who filled a grave - but an honoured grave - in a far off land while fighting for his country. Tho Boer war was now a matter of history. It was a war that had been forced upon the British authorities owing to the invasion of British territories by the Boers in South Africa. And when the British forces had sustained two serious reversals at the outset, a wave of feeling prevailed throughout the Empire that the British forces would go down. But that was not to be. However, under such serious circumstances as he had mentioned, it was arranged to send contingents from the several colonies to the front, Singleton, towards doing her share in that great movement, had sent an important and respectable portion of those contingents. And they had distinguished themselves to such an extent that their forces were augmented, and the Bushmen's Contingents containing members, who were good riders and good shots, were formed. Of one of those contingonte, poor Herby WADDELL was a member. He went forth as a member and as a member he distinguished himself, amongst the others, to such an extent that Lord ROBERTS and other eminent generals warmly eulogised the Bushmen's Contingents to a great extent and bad stated, further, that the Australian soldiers were equal in bravery and courage to the pick of the British army. After taking part in several engagements, poor Herby WADDELL fell at Pianaar's River, on Sept 27 1900, and he fell as a soldier and a man. On the morning of the day that he, was killed Trooper WADDELL was ill, and was advisod by the doctor not to go out that day, but he considered it his duty to go, and persisted in going, with the result we all now know. To the Boer war Singleton had sent between 20 and 30 represenatives, and all had returned save poor Herby WADDELL. Several times the people of Singleton and district had met to welcome back their representatives,but today they met to perform a sad ceremony - the unveiling of that memorial to perpetuate for many generations the memory of Trooper Herby WADDELL. ... [much more].
URL9: LATE TROOPER HERBY WADDELL - Unveiling a Memorial. On Sunday afternoon [27.9.1903], the ceremony of unveiling a memorial to the memory of Trooper Herby WADDELL, who fell in the South African campaign, took place in Burdekin Park [Singleton] ...
URL10: Trooper H WADDELL, a member of the Bushmen's Contingent, who was recently [c10.1900] killed in South Africa was a
nephew of Mrs. FELL, of Nowra.
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