Name
Edgar Allen Chennells
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
Labour Corps.
131 Company
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Not Found
Headstone Inscription
Not Found
UK & Other Memorials
Wheathampstead Village Memorial
Pre War
Edgar Allen was born in Wheathampstead in 1874 to Jesse Chennells, a farmer, and Charlotte Allen (nee Paul).
On the 1881 Census Edgar was living with his parents at Town Farm, Wheathampstead with his older brothers Arthur G (born 1864), Fred (born 1868), Thomas Austin (born 1870), younger brother Walter (born1878), together with elder sisters Louisa, (born 1863), Kate (born 1866) Minnie (born 1873) and Charlotte (born 1878). On the 1891 Census Edgar now a drapery apprentice was lodging at 6, Pearson Street, Shoreditch, London along with other drapery apprentices. No trace of him was found on the 1901 Census. He married Clara Elizabeth Durrant on 15 Oct 1904. They were to have two children Edgar James (born 4 Oct 1906) & William John (born 2 Jan 1909). The 1911 Census has the family living at ‘Farringford’, Tennyson Road, Mill Hill, Middx. The family came to live in Lower Luton Road, Batford, Harpenden.
Wartime Service
Edgar enlisted on 4 May 1916 as Private 30993 in the and in the 39th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and was appointed as Acting Sergeant that same day. He gave his occupation as wholesale draper and address as Batford, Harpenden.
Soon after, on 8 May 1916, he was transferred as G/28177 in Middlesex Regiment, 2nd Infantry Works Battalion. On 27 Feb 1917 he was again transferred to Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regiment in a Labour Battalion and on 7 Mar 1917 promoted to Company Quarter Master Sergeant. He went to France on 12 Mar 1917.
Edgar was again transferred on 9 May 1917 to 131 Company, Labour Corps He reverted to Private on 21 Jul 1917. He had leave in UK from 27 Jul to 7 Aug 1918. Edgar was admitted to 50 Casualty Clearing Station on 7 Nov 1918 and evacuated from No 3 Stationary Hospital Rouen to UK on 12 Nov 1918. Following his recuperation Edgar was transferred as a Z Class reservist to Army Reserve on 27 Feb 1919. Believed to have died on 14 Dec 1919 in Islington District London.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
