Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial | ||
| 2. Website: | Comrades Lodge No. 2976. | ||
| 3. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.119 | |
| 4. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 48A GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | Queen's South Africa Medal 3 Clasps King's South African Campaign Medal 2 Clasps 1914 (Mons) Star British War Medal Victory Medal | ||
Early Life :
Charles CHESTERTON was born late 1877 and was probably already a part of a military family, the 1881 census showing his occupation at aged 3 as a Scholar but in residence at, and being part of the staff of, South Camp, Aldershot along with his Mother and Father and two younger sisters. His mother is recorded to be of Colcestrian origin.Met Alice Maud Chick whilst at Chatham and married on the 23rd September 1905 at Holy Trinity Church, Brompton, Kent.
1911 1st child and son born. They were living in Singapore at this time. In 1914 the family were living at 31 St. George's Road in Aldershot. 1914 Alice was pregnant as Charles went to war. Daughter and second child born 6th February.
Family :
Alice Maud nee Chick b.1881- Living at "Medway", Aldershot Road, Guildford, Surrey (letter to unit in 1938). Following Charles' death in 1914, Alice was granted 10s a week together with a 2s child supplement. Alice wrote to the RE Records office at Chatham to claim "Separation Allowance" for a second child. It is possible that Alice moved to Los Angeles, United States of America (death 26th February 1957) and took the child(ren). There is linkage for both Alice and Cyril in the US Social Security system. Probate was granted to Lloyds bank, probably as administration agent back to the UK.Cyril Thomas : Born 31st October 1911 - d.1980, at Singapore, Straits Settlements. Baptised 12th December 1911. He died at Wycombe, UK. Alice applied for Cyril's Birth certificate addressing a letter to the officer in charge, Royal Engineers at Chatham, dated 26th January 1938)
Probate Record: Charles Thomas of Ipswich died 14th September 1914 killed in action in France. Administration given at London 18th of November to Alice Chesterton widow. Effects £133 15s
Education & Career :
Clerk. Royal Engineers around 1898 (coincides with South Africa Campaign)
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 5th Field Company |
| Action : The Battle of the Aisne 1914 and subsidiary actions |
12 - 15 September 1914. Following the defeat and retreat from the Marne, the German army stood and defended the next defensible river, the Aisne. This offered significant defensive potential on the high bluffs overlooking the river but the BEF succeeded in pushing back the Germans. The first examples of trench warfare emerged on the Aisne as trenches became necessary to offer protection from concentrated artillery barrages.
Sergeant Royal Engineers (1904). Attestation exists in the burnt records. He previously served in the 1st (City of London) Volunteers.Took his oath of allegiance in 17th January 1898 and was to become an Engineer Clerk. Service No. 1527. He was accepted for training immediately, passing his 2nd Class Education 1st April 1898 His trade education was completed on 15th June 1899 as an Electrician (Submarine Mining) at which point he would have been entitled to the rank of Sapper.
Appointed Lance Corporal 29th December 1901 (States unpaid) but contradicted by next entry (with authority)
Engineer Clerk Sergeant 24th December 1901
Education 1st Class 31st March 1903.
Extended his service to complete 12 years in the colours 29th March 1904
Engineer Clear Staff Sergent 1st April 1906
Engineer Clerk & Quartermaster Sergeant 1st April 1909
Reengaged to complete 21 years service with the colours on 5th July 1909.
Served in the South Africa Campaign 1899-1902 earning him the Queens South Africa Medal with 3 Clasps and Kings South Africa Medal with 2 clasps.
Clean conduct sheet (Exemplary) and employment sheet reflects from his officer commanding that he is "Reliable, trustworthy and intelligent"
Was posted to Singapore with Alice between at least 1911 and 1913.
Embarked to France with BEF posted with the 5th Field Company Royal Engineers.
Charles enlisted at London into the Royal Engineers on 17th January 1898 aged 20 years 4 months, and by 1909 had committed himself to 21 years service. Promotions: Sapper 19.1.1898, Lance Corporal 29.12.1901, Engineer Clerk Sergeant 24.12.1901? (auth 1.5.03), Engineer Clerk Staff Sergeant 1.4.1906, and Quarter Master Sergeant on 1 .4.1909. His medal roll includes the King's South Africa Medal (2 Clasps) and Queen's South Africa Medal (3 Clasps) in addition to the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Detail :
It is evident that he was part of the British Expeditionary Force 4th Division, 5th Field Company. During the retreat of the enemy from the Marne to the Aisne, 1527 CQMS Charles Thomas Chesterton was killed in action on 14th September 1914 in the service of his King and his Country. His name is commemorated on the memorial next to La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre bridge at the spot where Royal Engineers constructed a floating bridge under fire across the Marne on 9th September 1914. It is also possible that the Chesterton C.T. listed on the memorial of St. Michael's Church, Church Lane East, Aldershot is the same man.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Comrades Lodge No. 2976 E.C. | Essex |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
22nd March 1904 | 16th April 1904 | 30th July 1904 |
His father was a Freemason of Aldershot Camp Lodge No 1331 and Inhabitants, Gibraltar.
Connaught Lodge No. 361 I.C. Pretoria Transvaal. Resigned from Connaught Lodge 1st March 1906. Joined Comrades Lodge No. 2976 17th June 1907 and paid subscriptions until "Killed in Action" upon the records of Grand Lodge, despite his posting to Singapore.
He was a Master Mason. Listed as 172 in the Register of Members of Comrades Lodge and recorded on Page 77 of the minutes that a ballot took placed for Charles to enter Comrades Lodge as a joining member on 17 June 1907 aged 29. He was previously a member of Connaught Lodge No 361 of the Irish Constitution. He is also recorded on the rare list of members on Page 109 - 20th December 1909. There are two date annotations in the Register of members. It is annotated that a resignation took place on 16 Aug 1914, but a second date of 13th August 1913 is also recorded but no notes to say what this is.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley