Name
Arthur William Chalk
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
266439
Bedfordshire Regiment
5th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Arthur Chalk was one of four brothers from Abbots Langley that served in the Great War He was born in Abbots Langley in the autumn of 1896 one of five children born to George and Sarah Chalk of Asylum Road. In the 1901 Census George’s occupation was listed as a Chimney Sweep. George died in the winter of 1905, but Sarah continued to live at Asylum Road and brought up the family. Arthur was recorded in the 1911 Census living at Asylum Road.
Arthur was first recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour in March 1915, and was listed serving with the Herts Territorials. He was recorded with the Herts Territorials through to January 1917, but at some point probably earlier he joined up with the 1st Hertfordshire’s. In August 1917 he was reported wounded in the Parish Magazine. It was most likely that he was wounded on 31st July 1917, when the Hertfordshire’s lost over 450 men in an action near St Julien, Ypres. Several other men from the village, serving with the 1st Hertfordshire’s were either killed or wounded in this action.
At some point before the end of the War in November 1918 Arthur transferred to the 5th Bedfordshire’s and was recorded with this battalion in the Autumn 1918 and September 1919 Absent Voter Records. In each of these lists Arthur’s address was given at Asylum Road, Abbots Langley.
Arthur Chalk survived the War, as did his brothers Harry and Royal. However his brother Leonard was killed in action during the German Spring Offensive in March 1918.
Additional Information
Rank unknown. Formerly 1st Hertfordshire Regiment.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
