Name
Walter Chennells
1899
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
14/09/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/75287
Royal Fusiliers *1
10th (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
FIFTEEN RAVINE BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLERS-PLOUICH
VI. E. 11.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Hemel Hempstead Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Memorial, Hemel Hempstead
Pre War
Walter Chenells was born in Queen Charlotte's Hospital in Kilburn, London on 21 January 1899 and baptised in St Mark's, Marylebone on 2 February, the son of Florence Elizabeth Chennells who was born in Hemel Hempstead and had been working as a servant in Great Gaddesden, Herts.
On the 1901 Census, his mother Florence was working as a housemaid for the Brassey family at Normanhurst Court, Catsfield, Sussex. The whereabouts of her son are uncertain but a two year old Walter Chennells was listed as a nurse-child living with the Brown family in Sapcote, Leicestershire.
On the 1911 Census, as a 12 year old schoolboy, he was living with his grandmother Martha Chennells, a widow, at Kemp's Orchard, Hemel Hempstead. Walter left school in 1912.
They later lived at 15 Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead. His grandmother died in early 1921.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford and initially posted for basic training with the Training Reserve Battalion based at Dover and then transferred to the 17th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers when they sailed to France on 18 February 1918.
On 3 July 1918 he was transferred again, to the 10th Battalion just prior to going into action in the 'Hundred Day Offensive' which ultimately lead to the end of the war,
He was killed in action on 14 September 1918, aged 19, during the Battle of Albert near Trescault and is buried at Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich, France.
Additional Information
A war gratuity of £8 10s and pay owing of £16 13s 9d do not seem to have been claimed by a next of kin. His grandmother appears to have claimed a pension but there is no indication if one was paid.
1 Probably more correctly (County of London)
Bn. London Regiment (Hackney).
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
www.hemelheroes.com.,
