Hebdon E.W.

ERNEST WILLIAM HEBDON 1896-1917

205122 Private Ernest William Hebdon, 1/7^th Battalion, the Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action 26 October 1917 and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.[1] He was 21 years old and he is also commemorated on the Butterknowle War Memorial and the memorial plaque in the St. John the Evangelist Church, Lynesack.

Family Details

Ernest William Hebdon was born 1896[2] at Barnard Castle, the son of Elizabeth Hebdon.[3] In 1901, 4 year old Ernest lived with his widowed grandmother Elizabeth Bell, her daughter Margaret Ann Hebdon and Elizabeth’s son, Leonard Hebdon and 10 year old Ralph Hebdon (cousin or brother?) at Low Beck Head, Forest & Frith, Teesdale. [4] By 1911, Ernest lived at Newbiggin near Middleton in Teesdale with his mother Elizabeth Hebdon and her brother Leonard. [5] In 1901, Leonard worked as a lead miner and by 1911 he was a coal miner (hewer) therefore it is highly likely that Ernest and Ralph followed Leonard to work in the pits. In fact, by 1911 Ralph worked at St. Helen’s Colliery and it is highly likely that his younger cousin Ernest worked in one of the many pits and drifts around Butterknowle.

6/2211 Private Ralph Hebdon, 6/DLI was killed in action 5 November 1916 at the Butte de Warlencourt.[6]

Service Details

Ernest William Hebdon enlisted at Bishop Auckland and joined the Northumberland Fusiliers being given the regimental number 205122.[7] He served with the 1/7^th Battalion which was a Territorial Force, part of the Northumberland Brigade, Northumbrian Division. In April 1915, the Division entered France and in May 1915 became under the orders of 149^th Brigade, 50^th (Northumbrian) Division.[8] The 149^th Brigade consisted of the following units:

1/4^th, the Northumberland Fusiliers
1/5^th, the Northumberland Fusiliers
1/6^th, the Northumberland Fusiliers
1/7^th, the Northumberland Fusiliers
149^th Machine Gun Company formed February 1916
149^th Trench Mortar Battery joined June 1916 [9]

The service record of Private E.W. Hebdon has not been researched but he did not enter France until after 31 December 1915. [10]

It is likely that he joined the battalion as a draft required for the Battle of the Somme where the 50^th Division was involved in the following actions: [11]

The Battle of Flers-Courcelette: 15-22 September
The Battle of Morval: 25-28 September
The Battle of Transloy Ridges: 1-18 October

In 1917, as part of the VII Corps, Third Army, the Division was involved in the following phases of the Arras Offensive:

The First Battle of the Scarpe: 9-14 October including the capture of Wancourt Ridge
The Second battle of the Scarpe:23-24 October

Private E.W. Hebdon was killed in action 26 October 1917.[12] On that day, it is recorded that 7/NF lost 5 officers and 97 other ranks, killed in action or died of wounds.[13] However, the Divisional History makes no reference to any significant action taking place 26 October 1917. 7/NF was in reserve at Ronville:

“At zero hour (4.45am) the 3 infantry brigades were to be in position as follows: 2 battalions ready to assault, 2 in Nepal and Tiger Trenches; 151^st– 3 battalions in the Harp, 1 in Ronville; 149^th – 4 battalions in Ronville. [14] …With the exception of the 4^th Northumberland Fusiliers… and 2 sections of the 149^th Machine-Gun Company who were to support the attack of the 150^th Brigade, the 149^th Brigade was to remain in billets in Ronville. [15]…During the early morning of the 24^th the 151^st Brigade relieved the 150^th Infantry Brigade, who moved back into reserve in the Harp area; the 4^th Northumberland Fusiliers of the 149^th Brigade were attached to the 151^st Brigade, the remainder of the 149^th being in support. [16]… Heavy artillery fire characterised the 25^th, our guns raking the enemy’s positions and causing him many casualties. During the morning another brigade of the 14^th Division relieved the 149^th brigade in support, the latter moving to the Harp: the 151^st Brigade was placed in support. On the 26^th the 149^th Brigade moved to Arras and the 151^st to the Harp…[17]…in the Couturelle area by the 28^th, all 3 infantry brigades were concentrated i.e. 149^th Pommera, Mondicourt; 150^th Halloy, Famechon, Grenas and 151^st Humbercourt, Warluzel, Coullemont.” [18]

The 7/NF war diary should be researched to clarify the situation. Did 102 men lose their lives while stationed in reserve? Or, were they transferred to another attacking battalion?

205122 Private E.W. Hebdon was awarded the British War and Victory medals. [19]

News of his Death [20]

“Roll of Honour

Hebdon: killed in action in France on October 26^th. Pte. Ernest Wm. Hebdon, Northumberland Fus, dearly beloved son of E. Hebdon, The Mill, Newbiggin, aged 21 years.

A light is from our household gone

A voice we loved is stilled

A place is vacant in our home

Which never can be filled

Sadly missed and deeply mourned by his loving mother, Uncle Leonard and all who knew him. “

Commemoration

205122 Private E.W. Hebdon has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing. This memorial commemorates almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are unknown. The Memorial to the Missing forms the north eastern boundary of the Tyne Cot Cemetery and is one of 4 memorials to those with no known graves in Belgian Flanders. The memorial was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and unveiled in July 1927. [21]

References

[1] Commonwealth War Graves Commission

[2] England & Wales 1837-1915 Birth Index Vol.10a p.265 Teesdale 1896 Q3

[3] CWGC

[4] 1901 census

[5] 1911 census

[6] 1901 census & CWGC

[7] Soldiers Died in the Great War

[8] http://www.1914-1918.net/nortfus.htm

[9] http://www.1914-1918.net/50div.htm

[10] Medal Roll card index

[11] www.1914-1918.net/50div.htm & www.warpath.orbat.com/battles_ff/1916.htm & http://www.warpath.orbat.com/battles_ff/1917.htm