Name
Ernest Penton Chandler
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/04/1918
32
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/22426
The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
POZIERES MEMORIAL
Panel 16
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Ernest was born in Reading, Berks, around 1885, his parents were David and Jane Chandler.
In 1891 the family were living at 23 Kingsgate Street, Reading. Present were parents: David (52) and Jane (47), with David and working as a painter and paper (wall) hanger. Their children were: Arnold (13), Charlotte Annie (7), Ernest Penton (5) and Lewis Chas Bray (14 and stepson). Charles Blundy a lodger was also present.
In 1901 the family were living at 149 Orts Road, Reading, Hitchin. Present were parents, David now working as a house decorator. Their children were now listed as: Agnes (35), Arnold (23), Ernest Penton now 15 and working as a merchant’s clerk, Ernest (3) and Charles Bray (stepson), also present were 2 boarderers: William Mundy (22) and Maria Hooper (74).
Ernest’s father died in 1905.
By 1911 Ernest was 25 working as a grocer’s clerk, boarding with the Hunt family at 34 Highbury Road, Hitchin.
Ernest married Maria Humpries (b 2/12/1883) on 8 April 1912 in Little Bedwyn,. At that date he was working as a painter, and it was noted that his father was deceased.
They went on to have 2 children: Dorothy Agnes (b 18/11/1912) and George David (b 5/8/1914).
Their home was at 34, Lancaster Road, Hitchin. Before joining up he was employed by W.B. Moss & Son, the grocers of Hitchin, as a clerk. He was well known as a tenor in the St. Mary's Church choir.
Officially recorded as born in Reading, lived in and enlisted in Hitchin in March 1917.
Wartime Service
Ernest was allocated the Regimental Number G/22426 and posted to the 6th Battalion of the Regiment which was in the 37th Brigade of the 12th Division in the V Corps of the 3rd Army. He went to France in June 1917 and returned home two months later suffering from trench feet. He did not return to France until the 30th January 1918 and was killed in action in France.
On the day of his death, the Division, tired and weak, was in a position just to the west of Albert and repelled a German attack which was part of their Spring Offensive.
He has no known grave and is remembered on Panel 16 of the Pozieres Memorial to the Missing in France.
Additional Information
After his death £7 8s 5d was authorised to go to his widow on 3 June 1918, then another 7s 4d on 22 June 1918 and later a war gratuity of ££3 10S was Authorised to be paid to her on 17 November 1919.
His wife’s ‘Widow Form’ confirmed her address as 34 Lancaster Road, Hitchin.
His pension cards record Maria Chandler his widow as his next of kin, living at Church Street, Little Bedwyn, Near Hungerford, Berks. She was awarded a pension of 13s 9d a week for her and 11s 8d for her children from 21 October 1918. However, she was noted as not eligible 27 February 1919. Why is not explained. However, she re-married in 1924 becoming Maria Harris.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
