WWI Family lot. Chamberlain. Tottenham. 4th Londons and East Surrey Regiment. POW Arras 1917.

Trio correctly named 2304 Pte H Chamberlain 4-Lond R

Harry Arthur George Chamberlain was born to Harry and Alice in 1896.

We find the family living at 85 Roslyn Road, Tottenham.

Harry enlisted in 1914 and was sent immediately to Malta where he remained until he was sent to France on the 6th of January 1915 earning his 1915 Star Trio.

He served with the 4thBn (City of London) Royal Fusiliers (London Regiment) and was hospitalised 4 times whilst with them with a septic finger, influenza, a pick wound to the foot and shock. His entry for shock was in late 1915 when the 4th were holding sections of trench in the La Bassee area, near Ouderdom.

He was appointed drummer in December 1916.

He spent time with the 909 Area Employment Company, Labour Corps with the service number 512698 and later as 58537 with the 25th Garrison Depot of the Kings Royal Rifle Company.

He was de-mobbed in March 1919.

In 1921 we find him back at Roslyn Road and working for Henry Howell & Co as a dresser and colourman (fabric dyer).

After 1921, we know he married his wife Lillian and we see them in 1939 living at East Lodge, Midgham, Newbury and Harry is working as a gardener. It is noted that he is also serving as a Special Constable but no research has been conducted as to the length of time served as to see if he was awarded a medal, possibly the Special Constable Long Service and or the Defence Medal.

Harry died in 1977

Brother Walter Edward Chamberlain.

Pair correctly named 21183 Pte WE Chamberlain E Surr R

Born in 1897, Walter served with both the 3rd & 7th battalions of the East Surrey Regiment.

He was captured during the second Battle of Arras on the 3rd of May 1917 whilst with the 7th Bn.

“On the 2nd of May the battalion relieved the 6th Buffs. The portion of the front line taken over included, besides a number of fortified shell holes, Bayonet Trench and a portion of Rifle Trench recently captured from the Germans. There were no communication trenches

They were part of an attack to assist the French in their attack on Chemin de Dames, which had started two days earlier.

At 3.45am on the 3rd of May they went over with the 6th Buffs on the right and the 11th Middlesex on the left. Owing to the absence of suitable trenches, forming up before the advance was very difficult, and in the darkness the direction of the attack could not be accurately fixed. Consequently, as soon as the attack was launched, touch was lost and the fighting was carried out by isolated bodies of men, who advanced bravely but without cohesion. The 7th reached their objective (which were Gun and Cartridge Trenches) but in the darkness left large bodies of the enemy untouched behind them and ultimately a retirement to the old position became inevitable. Those of the battalion who made it back had to fight their way through the Germans, now behind them”

Losses as follows

Killed or died of wounds Captains TS King, EWS Leach also Lieutenants FA Colin CS Dixon AL Hovenden and 55 other ranks

Wounded Capt GT Wilkes and 2nd Lts FF Boles and CH Stilwell and 88 other ranks

Missing 2nd Lt JL MacNaughton (wounded) FW Gee and P Warburton were taken prisoner 89 other ranks also missing although a number of these fought their way back through the Germans returning on the 5th of May

He was repatriated in January 1919.

In 1921 we see him with his family at Roslyn Road and it is noted he is out of work but had worked at Duncan Tuckeer Timber Merchants.

He married Nellie Beatrice McCarthy in 1929 and we see them in 1939 living at Durham Road, Tottenham. He is working for London City Council Drains Department and it is noted that he worked in a drains decontamination squad. Maybe this warranted an award of the Defence Medal?

He died in 1973.

All medals have long original silk ribbons, a nice family lot.