Name
Arthur Chalkley
1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/09/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
4393
Hertfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
KNIGHTSBRIDGE CEMETERY, MESNIL-MARTINSART
D. 22.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
All Saints Church Memorial, Little Munden, Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
Arthur was born on 27 February 1893 in Benington, Herts, the son of James and Emma Chalkley, and one of 12 children.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Hobbing End, Benington, Hertfordshire where his father was an agricultural labourer. By 1911 they had moved to Haultwick, Little Munden, nr Ware, at which time Arthur was working as a temporary farm labourer.
He originally enlisted in December 1911 in Hertford when he was 18 years old and served with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, Army Reserve (Special Reservists), however, his service record was poor, and he was on report several times in 1912 and 1913 for being improperly dressed, inattentive, improper conduct on sentry duty, drunk, disobedient and a note on his file describes him as mentally deficient.
Wartime Service
As a reservist, Arthur was mobilised on 8 August 1914 at the outbreak of war. He enlisted in Hertford and joined the 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment, serving in France from 27 April 1915.
He was killed in action on 4 September 1916 and is buried at Knightsbridge Cemetery, Mesil-Martinsart, France.
Additional Information
His mother received a war gratuity of £6 10s and pay owing of £1 2s 11d. She also received a pension of 3 shillings a week.
Brother to Henry Chalkley who served as Private 3635 Herts Reg./Labour Corps and served in France from 18 April 1915. He was kicked by a horse and suffered a fractured rib. He was discharged in August 1919 with 30% disablement and awarded a pension.
Brother to David Chalkley who served as Lance Corporal 8433 with the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. 8433 and died 4 Sept 1916.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Malcolm Lennox, Jonty Wild,
