Name
Charles Chandler
1886
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
12/10/1916
30 years
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
20585
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Battalion.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
WARLENCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY
II. J. 24.
France
Headstone Inscription
"ONE OF THE DEAREST ONE OF THE BEST"
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, St Luke's Church Memorial, Bishops Hatfield, Not on the Long Marston memorials, Not on the Tring memorials
Pre War
Charles Chandler was born in Long Marston, Tring, Herts, in 1886, son of James Chandler (born 1859 in Long Marston) and Mary Ann (nee Stratford, born 1860 in Wilstone, Herts).
On the 1891 Census records Charles aged 5, at school, living with his parents and brother Herbert (born 1888), in Long Marston, Herts. His father was working as a farm labourer.
By 1901 now aged 15, Charles had left school and was working as a butcher's apprentice and lodging with the grocer, Mr Collins, at 6 Temple Street, Aylesbury, Bucks.
In 1902 the family moved to 22 Yarmouth Road Watford, Herts. Charles was working away from home, as a Grocers Assistant for the Co-Op, possible in Warrington, as in November 1902 he enlisted in Warrington, into the local Militia for 6 years, joining the 3rd Battalion, Lancashire Regiment with the Service No. 8540. His Militia Service Record shows that on 16 Jan 1904, he was transferred to the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment as Private4804 (possibly having moved back to Hertfordshire) He was discharged from the Regiment on 15 May 1905 as unfit for service.
Charles married Edith Elizabeth Matthews (born 1890, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Matthews) in the Parish Church of Bishops Hatfield on 3 Aug 1908.
The 1911 Census records Charles as married to Edith with two children, Edith (born 1909) and Charles (born 1910), living in Ellen Brook, Hatfield Road, Nr St Albans. His occupation is given as a Bricklayers Labourer.
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for Charles who re-enlisted in the County town of Hertford, and was posted to the Bedfordshire Regiment with the Service No. 20585. He was officially recorded as born in Tring and was living in Hatfield when he enlisted in Hertford. He was posted to 2nd Battalion, becoming a sergeant 1916. The 2nd were part of 90 Brigade, 30 Division in 1916 taking part in Battles of the Somme: Albert ( 1-13 Jul) and Le Transloy (1-18 Oct). It was in this last action that Charles was killed in action on 12 Oct 1916.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of July 1915, in the 11th list of men mobilised from Hatfield, recorded “Chandler Charles, Lance Corporal – Union Lane – Duke of Bedford’s Own.” and in March 1916: “Promotions – Charles Chandler – Corporal – Duke of Beds’ Own Regt.” Then in July 1916: “Promotions – Charles Chandler – Sergeant.”
The Herts Advertiser of 9th December 1916, recorded: “Sgt C Chandler - Hatfield Soldier falls in France. Mrs Chandler of Union Lane Hatfield has received information of the death in action in France of her husband, Sergt C Chandler, Beds Regiment on Oct. 11. Sergt Chandler volunteered for service in May of last year and after a period of training at Ampthill Park was sent out to France in July. The Duke of Bedford has written a much appreciated letter of sympathy to Mrs Chandler, who has also had a letter from her husband’s platoon officer saying what a plucky fellow he was.
Sergt H Chandler, deceased’s only brother is in the rifle brigade, and is out in the trenches. The two brothers met at home when deceased was there on his final leave.
Pte J E Matthews, Grenadier Guards, and Cpl T A Matthews, Beds Regiment, two brothers of Mrs Chandler, joined the army early in the war and the former laid down his life for his country. The latter is now serving in France (T A Matthews survived the war).
Mrs Chandler will be glad to hear further particulars about her husband’s death from any of his fellow sergeants.”
Awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.
Additional Information
The value of his effects were £4-8s-1d, arrears owing and £8-10s-0d War Gratuity, which went to his widow Edith.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Chandler (Widow) of Union Lane, Hatfield received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne, Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild. Stuart Osborne, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
