Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Nathanael's schooling started when he was enrolled at the Mt Barker Primary School on the 24th January 1888. They were living in Fidler Lane, Wistow and his father is recorded as being a miner. He stayed at the Mt Barker Primary School until he finished his schooling in June 1894.

On the 28 Feb 1902 The "Mt Barker Courier" reported that Nathanael went to New Zealand in July 1901. But a shipping passenger list shows he arrived in Lyttelton from Melbourne on the 23rd April 1901 on board the "SS Talune" travelling steerage class. He was admitted to Christchurch Hospital (North Canterbury, New Zealand) on the 14 October 1901 with influenza. On the admission document he is recorded as being a single man, a labourer, was living in Oxford, his religion is noted as Baptist, nationality as Australian, age 20 and was recommended for admission by a Dr Volekman. Nathanael was discharged from Christchurch Hospital on the 29 Oct 1901. The same newspaper article as noted above states "Mr Nathanael Fidler, second son of Mr. Wm. Fidler, of Wistow, who left South Australia in July for New Zealand and who subsequently went to Durban, arriving there on December 26, has written home stating that he has joined the Imperial Light Horse and has been sent to the front. Friends will be pleased to hear that when the letter was despatched he was in good health and spirits." Nathanael joined the Imperial Irregular Corps, Light Horse on the 28 December 1901, regimental number 2990.

On his Attestation record the spelling of his first name is Nathaniel. He is noted as having a "Fresh" complexion, blue eyes, fair coloured hair, being 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds. His next of kin is listed as his mother, Margaret Fidler. Records for the Imperial Irregular Corps. are very scarce as they did not record much and no personnel records were kept. From a letter that Nathanael wrote to his mother (and published in "The Mt Barker Courier" on the 11 April 1902) we know that he had been at Dyson's Farm on about the 24 Jan 1902, the letter itself was written in Heilbron on the 11 Feb 1902. He does not seem to think very highly of the Boers as he states " Such is the cowardice of the Boers." During this period he was involved in the capturing of De Villier's laager and the fighting against De Wet's forces. It is known that at some stage during the Boer War, Nathanael was shot in the knee and knocked off his horse, but no further information on this is available. He was also promoted to the rank of Corporal during his service. Nathanael was discharged from the Imperial Irregular Light Horse on the 1st July 1902 when his unit was disbanded. He returned to Mt Barker in August 1902 and is recorded playing cricket for Mt Barker in October 1902 and April 1903. In November 1905, in New Zealand, Nathanael was presented with the Imperial South African War medal and two clasps, one for Transvaal and the other for the Orange Free States. The Mt Barker Courier on the 7 August 1908 records Nathanael's marriage, "FIDLER - STEWART - On April 27th 1908, at the Presbyterian Church, Rangiora, New Zealand, by the Rev. D. J. Steele, Nat, second son of W. I. Fidler, Mount Barker, S.A., to Jean eldest daughter of J. Stewart, "Thongcastor", West Oxford." Newspaper articles in "The Press" (Christchurch) record Nathanael playing cricket for Swannanoa from at least 1911 to 1914, in 1914 he was elected captain of the Swannanoa Cricket Club.

Nathaniel is listed in the 1911 electoral roll, Kaiaopi Electorate, as living in Swannanoa and working as a labourer.

The family were living in Swannanoa when their son Malcolm born on the 29th November 1913.
Nathanael was Chairman of the Swannanoa School Committee for one year in the mid 1920s, the exact date is unknown.

In the 1954 and 1957 Hurunui general electoral rolls he is living in Waikuku Beach and is retired.
In the 1963 Rangiora main electoral roll Nathaniel is living 6 Buckhan Street, Rangiora and is a pensioner.

Nathanael & Jeannie have a memorial in the rosegarden, Services Section at the Linwood Crematorium, Christchurch.