Name
William Henry Chandler
29/05/1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
14/03/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
L/14280
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 31 and 32.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial to the missing in France.
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, Church of St Mary the Virgin Memorial, Cheshunt
Pre War
William Henry Chandler was born in Stepney, London/Middlesex, on 29th May 1893, son of John Chandler a, Carman and Catherine Chandler (nee McDonald). The eldest of seven children, although one died in infancy.
William attended St. Mary’s Infants School and then Dewhurst Endowed Boy’s School, Cheshunt, leaving on 15th April 1907, aged 14, to start work.
1901 Census records William as Harry aged 8, living with his parents, two brothers and two sisters at, 27 Prospect Road, Cheshunt, Herts. His aunt, widow Ellen Dudden and his uncle William McDonald were also living with the family.
His father John Chandler died in 1902, aged 37.
1911 Census records William aged 17, working as a Nursery Hand, living with his widowed mother, two brothers and three sisters still at, 27 Prospect Road. The family had a boarder Arthur Curtis also a Nursery Hand.
William enlisted at Enfield, Middx, on 13th September 1912, aged 19, for 7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve. Joining the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Cambridges Own (Middlesex Regiment) with the service number 14280, at Mill Hill, Middx, on 17th September 1912. Serving at home until September 1913, when he and his Battalion sailed for Malta.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of war William and his Battalion were still stationed in Malta. Returning home in September 1914, to Hursley Park Camp, Hampshire. Joining the 23rd Brigade of the 8th Division. The Battalion was mobilized for war and landed at Le Havre, France, on 7th November 1914, seeing action on the Western Front.
William was reported killed in action between 10th & 14th March 1915, (recorded as 14th) at the Battle of Neuve Chappelle, (10th – 13th March 1914), he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Le Touret, Memorial, France, to the missing.
Additional Information
His effects of £8-16s-2d, Pay Owing and his War Gratuity of £5, went to his mother Catherine.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
