The Transvaal WAR.
NEW ZEALANDERS MENTIONED.
LORD KITCHENER CONFIDENT. (excerpt)
Press Association — By Telegraph — Copyright. LONDON, November 16.
Lord Kitchener mentions, for good services, Lieutenant Heckler, Sergeant-major Callaway and Corporal Vercoe, of the Seventh New Zealand Mounted Rifles, for rescuing dismounted men under a heavy fire at Witkop; also a number of Australians for smart work and gallantry. -Evening Star, 18/11/1901.
HOME FROM THE WAR
Several Hawke’s Bay soldiers returned home from South Africa last night — Lieutenant Heckler, farrier Sergeant-Major Scott, Sergeant Hawthorne, and Sergeant Petersen, who were given a very cordial reception at the railway station. The East Coast Battalion and Band mustered strongly under their respective officers, and formed a guard of honor as far as Clive-square, where the returned men were welcomed by Mr A. E. Eagleton, on behalf of the reception committee (the Mayor being unavoidably absent), and by Major Chicken on behalf of the volunteers. The returned men were escorted to the Criterion Hotel where Lieutenant Heckler and farrier Sergeant-Major Scott stay until this afternoon when they proceed by train to Waipawa. -Hawkes Bay Herald, 26/11/1901.
Return of Lieutenant Heckler.
There was a good crowd at the railway station yesterday afternoon, to accord a welcome home to Lieutenant Heckler, who left Waipawa some twenty months ago, as a trooper in the Fourth Contingent. It was anticipated that he would arrive by the evening train and arrangements had been made for the volunteers to parade and meet him. These arrangements were upset, but the band was in attendance, as was Captain Rathbone, in uniform, who with Mr Jas. Williams, chairman of the Waipawa Town Board, officially welcomed him, and Farrier Sergeant-Major Scott, who accompanied him. Since leaving Waipawa Lieutenant Heckler has had many adventures by land and flood, having joined the Seventh Contingent when the Fourth returned to New Zealand. By his conduct and bravery he not only quickly rose from the ranks but he had the honor to be recommended by Lord Kitchener for the D.S.O. for conspicuous valor, and it was only natural that his old friends and acquaintances, who had heard with pride of his deeds, should assemble to do him honour. After hearty hand shaking Lieutenant Heckler and Farrier Sergeant-Major Scott were mounted on chargers, and, preceded by the band and followed by the crowd, made their way to the front of the Empire Hotel, where they were greeted with loud cheers. They were escorted to the balcony of the hotel and were again cheered on making their appearance.
Mr Jas. Williams then stepped forward and said that on behalf of the people of Waipawa he had much pleasure in extending a hearty welcome home to Lieutenant Heckler and Farrier Sergeant-Major Scott, after their long and arduous campaign. Waipawa had been largely represented in the several contingents that had gone from the colony to fight the battles of the Empire in South Africa, and by none more worthily than by Lieutenant Heckler. They were proud of the manner in which he had acquitted himself. By devotion to duty, by his brave and fearless conduct he had risen step by step, from the ranks, until he became a commissioned officer. When he said they were proud of him he was sure he was but feebly expressing the opinion of them all. Lieutenant Heckler’s record in South Africa was one of which they all felt proud and he felt it to be a pleasure to greet one who had so faithfully performed his duties and had so worthily won promotion. He was sorry such short notice of his return had been given, but their welcome was not less hearty on that account. He was pleased to see him amongst them once again, hearty and well. Loud cheers greeted the speaker at the conclusion of his remarks. Captain Rathbone said that on behalf of the Waipawa Rifle Volunteers he desired to extend a hearty greeting to Lieutenant Heckler, on his return to Waipawa, after twenty months’ fighting in South Africa. Both he and Farrier Sergeant-Major Scott had left the colony as troopers, and by meritorious conduct had earned deserved promotion. Lieutenant Heckler, for conspicuous gallantry in carrying a wounded comrade to a place of safety, had been recommended for the D.S.O. When he received it they would again have the pleasure of meeting him and celebrating the occasion in a fitting manner. He was sorry their arrangements for according him a fitting welcome had been upset by his arrival earlier than was expected. On the previous evening he had arranged for a volunteer parade but the short notice and the alteration in the time of arrival had rendered that impossible. The band was entitled to the highest praise for mustering so quickly, and he desired to thank them. He accorded Lieutenant Heckler and Farrier Sergeant-Major Scott a hearty welcome home.
Loud cheers were then given. Lieutenant Heckler said he was very, very much obliged to them for the welcome they had given him. He really thought it was more than he deserved. He had gone to South Africa to do his duty and he had tried to do it. He again thanked them. The gathering broke up after giving loud cheers. -Waipawa Mail, 28/11/1901.
Lieutenant Heckler came last night by an earlier train than was expected, consequently the volunteers were not there to meet him, having been ordered to parade for the purpose nearly two hours later. However, Captain Rathbone, in uniform, with Mr J. Williams, chairman of the Town Board, the band and a number of citizens were there and officially welcomed him. Farrier-Sergeant-Major Scott accompanied him, and they were mounted, and headed by the band formed a procession to town, forming up opposite the balcony of the Empire Hotel. Mr J. Williams then gave an address of hearty welcome on behalf of Waipawa people. Waipawa had been well represented in the various contingents, and especially by Lieutenant Heckler, and they were proud of the way in which he had acquitted himself, who, by devotion to duty and brave and fearless conduct had risen step by step from the ranks to his present position. His reward was one of which they all felt proud, and it was a pleasure to greet one who had so faithfully performed his duty. (Cheers). Captain Rathbone also desired, on behalf of the volunteers, to tender a hearty greeting to Lieutenant Heckler, after twenty months’ fighting in South Africa. Both had left as troopers, and had returned with deserved promotion. Lieutenant Heckler, for meritorious conduct in carrying a wounded comrade to a place of safety, had been recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Order, and when he received it they would again have the pleasure of meeting him and celebrating it in a fitting manner. (Loud cheers).
Lieutenant Heckler returned thanks for the very hearty welcome given him. He thought it more than he deserved. He went to do his duty, and had tried to do it.
Many cheers brought the impromptu gathering to a close. -Hawkes Bay Herald, 29/11/1901.
Presentation to Lieutenant Heckler.
The Maoris of the district have taken great interest in the war in South Africa and have followed the fortunes of those who have gone from Waipawa with keen enthusiasm. As is well-known, many natives of this district would gladly have joined the contingents that have left our shores, and several expressed great disappointment when they learned they could not be accepted for active service. These dusky subjects of the King are as greatly concerned about the issue of the war and the maintenance of the prestige of our flag as any loyalist and none were more demonstrative when news was received of the reliefs of Ladysmith and of Mafeking, and of the captures of Johannesburg, of Bloemfontein, and of Pretoria. In their own way and also in British fashion they celebrated the capture of Cronje, and our victories that trod one upon the others heels shortly after the arrival of Lord Roberts in South Africa. The natives of this town are as familiar with the names of the principal battles fought in South Africa and of those who played a prominent part in them as any Britisher. They have unbounded confidence in the ability of Lord Roberts. They have expressed whole-soul admiration for Sir George White, who kept the flag flying over Ladysmith ; with great glee they listened to the recital of French’s gallant dash for Kimberley, and they almost went delirious with delight when the brief cable message that all the English speaking world had been anxiously waiting for day by day was flashed along the wires, and the two words “ Mafeking relieved,” pregnant with a meaning of so much import to the national honour, told that British valor and endurance had once more triumphed over innumerable obstacles. That the natives rejoice when we rejoice and grieve when we grieve has been demonstrated on many occasions. A striking instance was given at the Memorial Service held on the death of Queen Victoria, when a large number attended to pay their token of respect to one who had ruled over them but whom they had never seen. The great native demonstration held at Rotorua, in honour of the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall illustrated their devotion to the Crown.
It is not surprising, therefore, that the natives of Waipawa should have watched the doings of those who have gone from amongst us and with whom they were acquainted. From time to time, as members of the contingents have returned, they have cordially greeted them and anxiously asked after those who were left behind. On the return of Lieutenant Heckler, this week, Mr Martin Ropiha, the well-known chief, thought he would like to show his appreciation of one who had left as a trooper and who had carved his way to a commission and he determined with Maori generosity to make him a present. Yesterday afternoon he invited a few friends to meet him in the commercial room of the Empire Hotel, when Mr W. H. J. Bennett acted as spokesman on his behalf and he presented Lieutenant Heckler with a horse, a huia feather and a huia beak, mounted as a scarf pin. Mr Bennett said Mr Ropiha wished it stated that the gifts were evidence of the esteem and regard he had for Lieutenant Heckler personally, his sincere pleasure at seeing him safely returned, and also as a token of his sympathy with the cause which their guest had been so honorably upholding. The speaker went on to congratulate Lieutenant Heckler on his success at the front, and also on the handsome presents he had just received. The occasion was another instance of the interest the natives had taken in the war, for although the usages of modern warfare did not allow the Maoris to go to the front, they had been ever ready with both money and valuable presents.
The horse is a fine stamp of animal, and is by Jet d’Eau from a Patriarch mare, and should make a good weight carrier, and prove a showy charger. The huia feather and beak denote chieftainship.
Lieutenant Heckler thanked the donor for his valuable gift, which he would treasure. It was more than he ever expected or deserved, and he could not find words to express his appreciation of the great kindness which had prompted Mr Ropiha to make it. He had experienced much kindness from Waipawa people before he went to the war and since his return, and he would never forget it. Mr Nash expressed his appreciation of the generosity shown by Mr Ropiha, and he asked those present to sing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” which they did most heartily. -Waipawa Mail, 30/11/1901.
The Britannic left Durban for Albany, Melbourne, and Wellington on the 6th July. She is due at Albany on the 21st July, and Melbourne on the 28th July. She has on board Captain Heckler, of the Tenth Contingent and Captain H. C. Collett, of the Eight Contingent, and troopers of the Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Contingents. -Waipawa Mail, 8/7/1902.
New Zealanders and the Late War.
Or, SOLDIERS FROM THE LAND OF THE MOA.
By NEW ZEALANDER. (excerpt)
The N.Z.M.R.'s and Queenslanders had been now attached to Colonel Garratt's column, and during the next few days the New Zealanders had a chance of a far more distinguished performance, being sent on July 22, with a flying column to attack General Smuts's commando, which held a strong position on the Vaal River. The Boers were only driven from this position, in spite of the use of heavy artillery at close range, after a steady fight of five hours; the capture of 127 prisoners and a large quantity of convoy and cattle resulting. In this engagement three New Zealanders — Lieutenant Heckler, Sergeant-major Callaway, and Corporal Vercoe — rescued two dismounted soldiers who, at a distance of 600 yds from the Boer position, were exposed to the fire of over 100 rifles, Callaway being dangerously wounded in bringing them off. Colonel Garratt, who witnessed the incident, recommended the men for honourable mention in despatches. -Otago Witness, 12/10/1904.
DEATHS
HECKLER. — On April 7, at Timaru, Captain H T. Heckler, D.S.O. (of the 4th, 7th, and 10th Contingents of South African Boer war), late of Waikouaiti and Fairlie. — Funeral leaves St. Mary's Church, on Friday at 2-15 p.m. for the Timaru Cemetery. — W. J. Lister, undertaker. -Otago Daily Times, 8/4/1915.
SOUTH CANTERBURY HONORARY TERRITORIALS.
(Ex-Service Division)
ARE requested to muster at St. Mary's Church at 2 p.m., TODAY, in order to attend the Funeral of the late Captain Heckler. D.S.O.
W. J. TAYLOR, Hon. Secretary. -Timaru Herald, 9/4/1915.
Many in this district will regret to hear of the death, last week, at Fairlie, Canterbury, of Captain H. T Heckler, D.S.O., who resided in Waipawa for some years, and who was a member of the 4th, 7th, and 10th South African Contingents, did excellent service in the Boer War and gained the D.S.O. decoration. The cause of death was blood poisoning, contracted in some manner unknown. -Waipawa Mail, 13/4/1915.
Timaru Cemetery.
