Thank you Nicola. Sidney Herbert Bernard is my 1st Cousin 4 x removed. I have been aware of the existence of the plaque. It was also extremely interesting to tread in your footsteps with as you visited my Cousins final resting place. His mother and my 3rd Great Grandmother were sisters. He has extensive family connections here in Australia. You may also gain further information on the Bernard Family by reading "The Bernards of Kerry" written by The Right Rev. John Henry Bernard.

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Thank you for your comment and for letting me know! And goodness, I'm glad you have seen this video. I did come across the book during my research and read some extracts. You have a very interesting family to say the least! Nicola x

@wildlifeathome

8 ай бұрын

Nicola is one of the special ones, always thoughtful, always respectful and loves being able to do exactly this-find a story and then being able to find a living person related to that story.

This was a lovely memorial to a selfless man. May he RIP, as well as his fellow doctors and the crew who succumbed to the illness.

@michelehood8837

8 ай бұрын

Absolutely amazed that you were able to find his lonely grave. Poor guy - such a young guy, just starting his life. My goodness, what an absolutely selfless and heroic man. His life and selflessness deserve to be remembered. Thank you for this video ❤

Great video Nicola, so nice to remember a man who lost his life trying to save others. So nice you are still taking care of the local wildlife.

Wonderful tribute. ❤ But don't sell yourself so short! The lead up to your reading made it sound like you were apologising for wanting to read and share with us. Made me almost rethink watching... almost. But I'm so glad I did. You brought back to life, briefly, not just Sidney, but the lives of the men who came after him, wanting to conserve his grave as a memory. You did a marvellous job at honouring them all. Thank you. ❤

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Thank you! I will bear this in mind and wont apologise in advance next time :) xox

Many thanks for the remembrance of a selfless man caring for his comrades. ❤️

Thank you for this Nicola. I was brought up near those marshes and spent part of my childhood messing about in boats around Stangate and other creeks. In the late 1950s I remember one of the bargemen saying that "there is a doctor buried on Burntwick and you can still see his grave", so Dr Bernard had not been entirely forgotten by the men who worked the barges and lighters on the Medway. It might be nice if the spot were marked on Google Earth so that others can leave flowers to remember this brave man.

I love these historical memorials. Today, thanks to your channel, 12,000+ people remembered this doctor who served others and lost his life in the process.

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Thank you! x

@wildlifeathome

8 ай бұрын

As of today, Oct 13th, there have been over 29,000 views!

With all the turbulence going on in the Middle East and here in Washington DC, Nicola, your tribute to Dr Sidney Bernard was somehow most welcome and appropriate, even if quite sad. It is said we never die if we are remembered. Thank you for bringing Dr Bernard back to life and recalling and honoring his work those many years ago. Thanks also for the postscript at the end with Foxie.

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Thanks Steve xx

What a fascinating history of ordinary heroes long forgotten... I love and share your need to remember them... so many lost to the mists of time. Thank you for honouring Sydney and all the nameless that died in such harsh conditions.

Wonderful video as always, Nicola. I do think that perhaps a note to the MOD / RN would be in order, to prompt them to maybe at least provide some sort of grave marker. It would appear that whilst the ground is marshy and liable to sinkage, the area is now surface-bound by vegetation, thereby giving a simple grave marker (perhaps a pole with a plaque) the chance of survival. If this were a war grave, the war grave commission would keep it in good as order as possible. This gentleman is representative of many young physicians who chose to follow their vocation to a fatal conclusion and he deserves to be remembered. The isolated nature of his grave perhaps adds more poignant weight to the preservation and commemoration of his burial site. Keep up the wonderful work that you do and do please let the MOD / RN have sight of this video! Regards, Duncan

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Thank you Duncan

How poignant, Nicola, thanks to you and David. The dedicated,selfless actions of care from a person who sacrificed all. It continues today with our nurses and public workers who also gave their lives and in way are still doing so, caring for Covid and infectious victims. We owe them so very much. Thanks and love to all you brave lovely people.

Hi Nicola, Thank you for bringing this piece of history to our attention. I have lived all my life in Kent and have been connected to the River Medway through family working within industries connected to the river. I know Standgate Creek well and was aware of the "quarantine" area, however I did not know about the story of the heroic doctor. So sad that schools do not go out of their way to teach children about local history thereby keeping history and its stories alive. Take care, best wishes Chris from Kent

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Thanks Chris. Im so glad you now know about Sidney!

As an ex Australian Veteran l thank you for your lovely story of this man. ❤

Thanks Nicola such a fitting video to mark the remembrance of a young doctor who basically gave his life to save others. Thanks to William Hobbs his work the grave was tidied up and others new of the grave. Thanks to you we now the story about Sidney and as much as it would be nice for the grave to last, unfortunately due to its location it will not, but your video/story was a fitting tribute to a very brave caring young man who wanted to help people, even it meant him losing his life. This story will not be forgotten

This was such a beautiful,poignant video of remembrance. Your joy at finding the grave sent shivers down my spine. I felt as though I was right there with you instead of sewing pyjamas in sunny Birmingham. Rest in peace Dr Bernard after your devoted, selfless service. Rest in peace that poor crew. Thanks Nichola x

What a wonderful story memorializing Dr. Bernard. Because of you, we're all thinking of him today. A Veteran's organization at a national (US) cemetery allowed me to adopt a group grave of 6 young US airmen who died over the English Channel. I was instructed to place flowers and say their names aloud. You did both for Dr. Bernard. Thank you, Nicola.

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Oh that's great what you are doing too!

If every 100 year someone will tell the story of Sidney he will always be there and don't need a gravestone to remember. Just like you did, Nicola! Thank you very much for this touching story of brave men and ruthless men and respectful and disrespectful men, who lived in a time we can hardly imagine today. ❤

That was a very moving recounting of the story of the doctor who cared for sailors dying of yellow fever, and in doing so , he died himself. Thank you Nicola.

This was such a powerful reminder that every life has connections and importance to so many, yet most lives are utterly forgotten not very long after they end. You, going to find this grave, adds to the story of Sidney Bernard. It brings his story -- and so, the stories of all those he tried to save, and countless others he never saw -- to all of us. And to anyone who happens to find this video or references to it some time in the future. Think how this would not have been at all likely were it not for Mr. Shrubsole's own efforts at memorial a hundred years ago. Physical memorials mean little without human kindness and the recording of the stories. Thanks for showing such kindness here!

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Thank you Paul! And yes, thank you Mr Shrubsole!

This is how we keep history alive. Thank you, Nicola, for showing us the way.

Absolutely fascinating. Thank you so much Nicola, a wonderful tribute to a courageous man indeed. Total respect Sidney Bernard to you and those who you tried to save. Eternal Peace.

This was so very beautiful and poignant Nicola. What a journey for this brave doctor and so very sad. Thank you for remembering him and his plight. This is like a documentary. I so enjoyed the scenery. Your thoughtfulness has a ripple affect.❤

Thank you Nicola. This is a special video. The time you have taken to tell this young man’s story is tender, respectful and thoughtful.

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Thank you xo

Thank you Nicole for educating us that didn't know about this man or the history of the boats. Though the grave is rather lonely, the day you went looked peaceful and tranquil 😊

Jackie here. Wonderful tribute. Far too many of our selfless heroes go untold. Always amazes me how nature claims back the land and whatever in the ground.

Thank you for not forgetting Sidney. This was a special video.... (and thanks for looking after the squirrels and foxes. We have squirrels during the day and foxes in the garden at night too. Our foxes like hen's eggs, courtesy of Morrisons!).

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Thank you! Oh my foxy loxy is partial to an egg too

Thank you Nicola A wonderful tribute to a deserving man. You are the epitome of compassion.❤

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

oh thank you. well I love telling the stories of people like Sidney Bernard. xox

I missed this film when you first posted it. This was a wonderful story. You are lucky to have found the grave, I would probably have missed it. I have a nephew who has just got a commission in the Royal Navy, and he has started his training at Dartmouth.

@nicolawhitemudlark

2 ай бұрын

So glad you enjoyed it. Very sad but yes, Im so glad we located Sidney's Grave. Good luck to your nephew

I did enjoy hearing about this wonderful man. Yes, it is important to have a big marker because it says, ha, to passers by. Thank you.

Thank you for putting flowers and remembering the naval sergion doctor Sydney Bernard extremely thoughtful 😔😔👍

History should be kept alive and the grave of Dr Sidney Bernard who basically gave his life to save others should be restored. Wonderful video Nicola.

Such a sad story, thank you Nicola for telling us about Sidney.....Maybe another memorial could be placed next to it by the current Royal Navy like a kind of flag pole that can be seen and tall enough not to disappear for another few 100 years, just a thought xxx

@hannaR_

8 ай бұрын

Nice suggestion...I was thinking the same thing.

Very nice and very respectful. I think it is more important for our loved ones to remember us in their hearts, then to visit a grave. My ashes will be scattered in the sea. Whenever my loved ones, look out at any ocean, they will remember me.

Very nice memorial for Dr. Bernard. Thank you

It was very kind of you to honor the memories of the brave young men who died so young

Love this style of video, too, Nicola. What great story telling. Sailors and travellers to that part of the world need to have a Yellow Fever vaccination card with them to travel between countries in West Africa, to this very day. My son's father worked on ships and oil platforms in several parts of Africa and he had to have that vaccination card with him in his passport or they wouldn't let him work. He often had to take preventative courses of anti-malaria pills as well. Yellow Fever is still a serious illness, but thank goodness for modern medicine and vaccines.

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Thank you!

You are an angel Nicola. Always thinking of others

What a truly remarkable young man. Despite his earthly remains being reclaimed by the earth, his selfless life has been kept alive in our hearts. Thank you for this very touching video Nicola, would that we were all made of such character.

Such a sad story. They really should do some kind of marker that won't disappear. But at least they have the metal plaque. Lovely video, different but still enjoyable.

Lovely, Nicola. ❤ Thank you for sharing this heroic, selfless man with us. May he always Rest in Peace.

What a trooper you are to have found this historic grave, and what a lovely tribute you make to this noble and intriguing story. Does seem a shame that the grave has to be lost ultimately to the tides, I suppose a bit of irony as indelible British Naval history. Kudos, Nic.

What a beautiful tribute to Sidney❣️ RIP Sidney Bernard 🙏🪽☘️

You did such a wonderful thing by telling us his story. I've heard that a soul never really dies until it's forgotten. Allowing us to know his story keeps him alive. Thank you for that, Nicola.❤✌️

I thoroughly enjoyed watching your fascinating video Nicola, amazing piece of valuable history, thank you and i hope little foxy enjoyed her chicken ☺️. Best wishes from Greenford.

Wow! I'm so glad you found it!😊 ❤ 😊 ❤

That was a beautiful and touching story..You brought those men to life..the poor surgeon, the noble man who wrote the article and comtacted the admirality and all the unfortunates that manned those ships..lovely what you did..love from ontario canada..love your fox Nicola

What a poignant story. Thank you for sharing it. I love all the history you share with us. Thank you.

What a wonderful story but very sad. It's a shame a new Marker post could not be erected nearby.😊 Thank you nicola.

Hi Nicola thanks for another great video. In your video at30.20 you can see the chimney of The Royal Naval Hospital, now Medway Hospital, on the skyline.

I have heard that in three generations the last person to know anything about you will have passed and you will be forgotten. Thank you for resurfacing the memory of this brave doctor.

Foxy is quite bold. Thank you for your research on the grave of the brave doctor. I look forward to your next adventure.

what a pleasant change this was. I love your mudlarking videos, but this was something new & different. As a mother/grandmother it breaks my heart for the loss of life of the men on these ships. Such a lonely, solitary place for him to spend eternity. You are amazing to have found him at all. In another year you may not have found him at all. I had my hot coffee when I started watching so I was ready when you read the article. My heart goes out to Sydney & his loved ones. It's hard to believe anyone would be buried in such a marshy mess. And, you did find a few bottles & pieces of pottery. I'd be happy to watch more similar videos. We cannot forget our past & the people who helped us get to where we are today. Thanks.

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Thank you xx

There is an old saying that says:" a man is forgotten after the last time his name is spoken" You kept him remembered one more time.

Loved it! And I am watching on the 9th so I said , ''Thank you Sidney Bernard'' aloud. I hope wherever he is he feels all our good wishes.

What a phenomenal story of service to fellow man. Thank you Dr. Bernard for your service to the men of the Eclair, and thank you Nicola for your sensitive remembrance of him.

Very impressed with your video, a very courageous young man . I myself was once in the merchant navy, and used to run to the west coast of Africa, I was born an bread in Chatham , and settled in sheerness in 1972 working in the docks , well done on your research

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Thx Charles

Wow, that is a real interesting piece of history Nicola, I found that so real I couldn't have fallen asleep at all. You are quite an adventurist lady trekking off to places unknown, may the good doctor RIP given his life to help his fellow crew. Well done. Neil from Canada.

I love hearing the history of selfless caregivers, having been a registered nurse for 32years myself. May God bless his memory and allow him to RIP.

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Thanks Karen, and thank you for your service too x

@wildlifeathome

8 ай бұрын

Unfortunately I had to take my 80 year old father to the hospital yesterday due to pneumonia, but thanks to the nurses he is doing much better and will be coming home tomorrow. I just wanted to thank you, as I thanked the nurses I saw during dads visit, for the hard work and countless hours needed to learn, and the assistance given to those who need it. Thank you.

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

@@wildlifeathome I hope your Father recovers well. Pls pass on my best wishes xxx

@karenwheeler2610

8 ай бұрын

@@wildlifeathome I'm praying for your dad and his recovery!

@wildlifeathome

8 ай бұрын

@@nicolawhitemudlark I will, thank you.

Thank you Nicola for doing what you do so well -- bring things back for remembrance -- customs, culture, fashion, news, war, peace, trade, business, the rich and the poor, *HISTORY* -- so many have gone before us, with all of the complications, joys and tragedies of life. I hope that you got pinpoint GPS coordinates for the grave and gave them to the Royal Navy for their records -- not for public consumption, but possibly they can go and clean up the site and add some further protection to keep it from becoming completely lost.

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Thx Dana xx

A lovely tribute Nicola, thank you. We will remember him. Please approach the Royal Navy and ask them to restore the grave - like you say, if something is not done soon, it will be lost forever and I don't think that should happen. It should be a constant reminder of the sacrifice he made for his fellow men. If it takes the navy to come in every 50 years to clear the site again then so be it. If the grave is not there to be seen, people wont look for the story, then it ALL will be lost forever.

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

yes I agree with you

Thank you for sharing this story. May his memory be eternal. RIP, Dr. Sidney Bernard. ❤

Thank you for sharing the story of Sidney Bernard. As long as their name is spoken they never truly die. The article was very interesting. I knew from previous videos that ships were quarantined but it is mind boggling to know there were hundreds in the Medway at a time! As always, thank you for sharing the history and lives of those you find along the way.

Nicola, what a wonderful tribute! ❤️

An awesome tribute to an unsung hero. Nice!

Thank you for this moving video to remember this man. Although I live in America it's was very touching and interesting. I am sure there are thousands of stories like Sidneys.

A very touching tribute Nicola, thank you for seeking him out and glad you were able to find where the grave was located. We had a quarantine station here in Sydney Australia too, it is still there but has been repurposed to a museum now and you can even stay in the accomodations there [conditions of which are much nicer than they were back then]. A lot of people lost their lives there including medical staff. It is a very interesting site for people interested in history, there are quite a number of intricate rock carvings there too listing ship names, the year they arrived and the crew. There were three cemeteries made during it's life (the first two ceased being used because of sanitary reasons) the surviving headstones from those two are now located in the museum, however cemetery 3 still remains and can be visited to view the headstones and pay tribute to the people there. Anyway the reason for my waffling is, your story in a way reminded me of a young boys grave in cemetery 2. His parents left a sum of money and a request to have his grave looked after, and although all the other graves in cemetery 2 had their headstones taken away, they left the grave of the boy in place. You do have to go searching for it as the trees have grown up around it, but an area around his grave is cleared and looked after to this day.

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

oh that is a beautiful story about the little boy. Thank you for sharing it. And the museum sounds so interesting too.

Spooky! I'm watching this on October 9th!! You're such a sweetheart Nicola! That was such an awesome tribute to Dr. Benard! I think he would have been surprised that a lovely little English Mudlarker searched for his grave in 2023! And found it!! Loved this whole video, such a great reader! Sending lots of hugs and peace and love ❤😊❤

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Thank you :) Im so glad you enjoyed it xx

History is always fascinating, thank you for taking, us on that excursion.

Usually when I'm holding a broken plate there is a mess involved, I would have that piece framed and hanging in my kitchen! All joking aside, I see you've yet again found an opportunity for us to remember someone from the past who've all but been forgotten, and after reading through the comments, seem to have discovered a link to the living. Countless lives are simply lost to time until one person caring enough and curious enough decides to dig a little deeper into a piece of history.

I’m so glad I stayed till the end. I was greatly rewarded ❣️🦊

I really enjoyed this Nikola! Sad but I have to agree with you. Some people are cremated and ashes scattered. It’s good we remember them wherever their remains went.

God bless those who lost their life in the furthering of care for those who lost their lives in such a sorrowful way.

Simply delightful Nicola… Thanks and blessings to you…

Thank you Nicola ..my interest was piqued by the mention of Knocklyon (it’s pronounced Knock...ly...on...as in lion the animal)...there is an area in Dublin called Knocklyon...and indeed Knocklyon House is still standing...built c1845.....for anyone who’s interested, have a look at the National Inventory of Architecural Heritage of Ireland...all the detail about that house is there🤩

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Thank you! And thank you too for the correction pronounciation! I had a feeling I was saying it wrong. x

I loved this historical tribute. You should lend your voice to book reading. I enjoyed this different version of your regular mudlarking. But I still missed it as well. It’s nice to get a variety of history from across the pond. Love from Phila, Pa (keep up the great work)

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Thank you x

I really enjoyed this tribute. I must say, I also gave a lot of thought to the pollution that would accompany "700" ships parked in this estuary. It must have taken at least 100 years to bring this estuary back to life and back to the beautiful place it is now.

Thank you Nicola! It was very touching, + it was the right thing to do. Blessings+ Love.

Thank you Nicola. God Bless 💞💙🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💙

Thank you for sharing this amazing story may he be remembered for ever

It was the best good night video you can wish. Thank you Nicola and cheers to the Foxy and Squirrel too! Hugs xx

@nicolawhitemudlark

8 ай бұрын

Thanks Pirjo xxx

A very nice tribute to a very brave young man. Very nice Nicola.

Wonderful. Thank you for honoring Sidney Bernard with such a lovely telling of his story, along with the story of all the others who died alongside.

That was a beautiful video. I so enjoyed listening to you sharing some of England's history and the story of that brave young man. Who knows in a hundred years someone may play your video In remembrance of him. XO

What an interesting piece of history and the selfless act of Sidney Bernard! Thx Nicola ❤

@Andrea-73

8 ай бұрын

@@AlexTodd-60s Hi Alex 👋

You have got a lovely speaking voice Nickola,I enjoyed very muchx

He's now not forgotten. Thank you so much for reminding us of all the everyday heroes who came and left before our time. What a wild and beautiful place to rest.

This was an amazing story and thank you for sharing this. ❤

@nicolawhitemudlark

4 ай бұрын

Thank you!

What a lovely article. Thank you for sharing it & honoring his memory.

Awwwww 😢. Thanks for going to see this man. I think it would be lovely to restore the grave. It’s kinda legendary 😊

Wonderful story and as always delivered with respect and gentle caring. Thank you for taking the time to remember this person and share it with us :) Always appreciate your story telling and information!

Keeping history alive,a wonderful tribute thanks for covering this amazing story ❤

Thank you so much- beautifully done and a very touching story of all who keep the memory alive

This made me sad and happy at the same time. What a lovely remembrance.

Such a young hero. Rest in peace. Thanks for sharing Nicola!

Incredible story told incredibly. Thank you Nicola!

Very kind act, Nicola, for Dr. S.B.

Thanks for this fascinating video and story Nicola. Dr.Bernard will not be forgotten now his story is out here.

That was excellent. I love this kind of history that brings obscure people and events into the light again that would otherwise be completely forgotten. Well done.😊

Thank you for a very moving story

Rest in Peace, Sydney! Thank you for your selflessness and sense of duty! Thank you for introducing us to Sydney and his tragic story! I loved the video as always, Nicola! Hope you have a wonderful week and see ya next time!!