Albert Peter Chantler was born in the first quarter of 1892 in Snodland to Alfred and Sarah Amelia. He was baptised 25th January at All Saints Church, Snodland. The father’s occupation was given as bargeman and the family were living in 4 Church Terrace.
Albert’s childhood is not clear, but it is known that he married Rose Amelia Perkins on 14th June 1915 at Chatham Registry Office. The young couple’s home was 52 Spratts Hill, Milton, Sittingbourne.
On 12th December, Albert was attested under the Derby Scheme and duly fulfilled his promise to visit a recruiting office. Albert’s service records show he was a paper maker. Rose Chantler moved home to stay with her mother, Mrs Perkins, a greengrocer in Wouldham. It was there that Albert and Rose’s only child Dora Rose was born on 20th June 1916. It is not known if Albert got to see his daughter as he embarked on 24th July.
His location and date of death indicate that Albert may have taken part in the Battle of Bazentin Ridge, which was part of the Battle of the Somme. The details of the actions around the French village of Bazentin have been made into a book, written by Norman Terry. The title can only suggest the conditions that Albert saw and died in- ‘The Hell They Called The High Wood: The Somme 1916’.
Albert’s widow received his person effects of –
1 sewing book
1 letter
1 Gospel
On 2nd February 1917 and on 16th September 1921, she received her husband’s Victory medal and British War medal.
Sources:
Ancestry.co.uk
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915
British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920
Find My Past
http://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbprs%2fb%2f82538127%2f1 accessed 11.12.16
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-in/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56190717&ref=acom accessed 11.12.16
National Army Museum; Chelsea, London, England; Soldiers’ Effects Records, 1901-60; NAM Accession Number: 1991-02-333; Record Number Ranges: 358001-359500; Reference: 19
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/544818/CHANTLER,%20A%20P
Research:
Jayne Fenton