Name
Harry Alfred Chalk
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
21317
Canadian Contingent
12th Battalion
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
An “A.H Chalk” sailed from Southampton to Quebec on 2nd May 1912 on the Cunard steamer “Ascania”, only two weeks after the SS “Titanic” sank in the mid-Atlantic. He was bound for Montreal. It is believed that this person was Harry Alfred Chalk. On the same ship was Aubrey Flowers, from Abbots Langley. Harry and Aubrey lived in Asylum Road, and close to John Owen, who also emigrated to Canada around this time.
When Harry attested and enlisted to the Canadian Army on 24th September 1914, he gave his name as Alfred Harry Chalk – the name with which he had been christened. Harry enlisted with the 12th Battalion at Valcartier Camp at Quebec. During the War some thirty-three thousand men were trained at Valcartier Camp, which had been transformed into a bustling Military town with roads, water mains, railway sidings, stores, showers and film shows for the troops and three miles of rifle range, as well as space for heavy artillery and cavalry training.
Alfred Harry Chalk was born on 20th April 1891 at Abbots Langley. He was one of four brothers from Abbots Langley that served in the Great War He was 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. Alfred lived with the family, working as a Farm Labourer, until he moved to Canada in May 1912.
The Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour first recorded Harry in October 1914, serving with the Highland Regiment. From December 1914 he was listed with the Canadian Contingent, and in November 1915 the Magazine reported that Harry had been Discharged Disabled. The circumstances of his discharge have not been found.
Harry Chalk survived the War, as did his brothers Arthur and Royal. However his brother Leonard was killed in action during the German Spring Offensive in March 1918.
Additional Information
Rank unknown. Discharged Disabled
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
