Percy Arthur Chambers
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Percy Arthur Chambers was the son of William and Ann Elizabeth (Elizabeth) Chambers (née Elkins). William was born in 1846 at Sherwood, Nottingham, and Ann Elizabeth Elkins was born in 1856 at Grantham, Lincolnshire. They were married at Nottingham St Mary in January 1873 and had 15 children, sadly six died in infancy or early childhood before 1911. Twelve children have been identified from the census and birth registrations: Mary Elizabeth birth registered 1874 (J/F/M), Annie birth registered 1875 (J/F/M), Leonard b. 1876, William b. 1877, Joseph birth registered 1879 (J/F/M) d. 1895, George Herbert b. 1881, Annie birth registered 1884 (J/F/M) d. 1888, Fanny b. 1885, John Henry birth registered 1887 (J/F/M), Walter b. 1889, Percy Arthur birth registered 1892 (J/F/M) and Ernest b. 1895. William, a lace maker, and Elizabeth and their children Mary, Leonard, William and Joseph were living at Clarence Street, Sneinton, in 1881. The second daughter Annie (b. 1875) was not recorded in the family home in either 1881 or 1891 and it is likely that she lived with a married couple, Thomas and Elizabeth Burgess, from infancy. On both census she is listed as their daughter, but continued to use the name Annie Chambers. The widowed Thomas Burgess was living in lodgings in Nottingham in 1901 but Annie has not yet been traced on the census. It is likely that she died in 1910. William and Elizabeth had moved to Independent Street, Radford, by 1891 where they were living with their children Mary, Leonard, William, Joseph, George, Fanny, John and Walter. Joseph died four years later in 1895. A daughter, also called Annie, who was born in 1884 had died in 1888. The family was recorded at 106 Independent Street on the 1901 Census. Seven of William and Elizabeth's surviving nine children were in the home on the night of the census. Leonard has not yet been traced on either the 1901 or 1911 census but the eldest daughter, Mary Elizabeth, had married William Henry Atkin at Radford St Peter in 1896 and they were living at Kelks Yard, Nottingham. The family was still at 106 Independent Street in 1911: William, Elizabeth and four of their children, William a miner cutter, Walter whose occupation was given as Royal Field Artillery (see 'Extra information'), Percy (19) a railway engine cleaner, and Ernest, a printer compositor. Three more of the siblings had married. George Herbert, a fireman (Midland Railway), had married Millicent Gladwin in 1909 and they and their son were living in the Meadows. John Henry, a bobbin and carriage finisher, his wife Ruby (née Hurst m. 1909) and their son were living at 62 Independent Street. Fanny, a lace worker, had married Leonard Payne, a railway engine stoker, in 1910 and they too were living in Nottingham. William snr. died on 6 April 1917. Both Ernest and Walter gave their home address as 106 Independent Street when they were discharged from the Army, Ernest in 1919 and Walter in 1920.
Private Percy Arthur Chambers enlisted at Nottingham. He served initially in the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment), 3645 Private, but transferred to the 10th (Service) Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. The battalion was formed in Warwick in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second Army, and came under the command of 57th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The 10th Battalion served in France from 17 July 1915. Percy Arthur was killed in action on 18 November 1916. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Account of the action on 18 November 1916 in which Percy was killed: 'The operation which the 10th Warwickshires were preparing for took place on 18th November 1916, the last day of the Battle of the Somme. The men started to form at 5.30am and were in an artillery formation of four waves of four platoons. The barrage started at 6.10am and the men advanced soon afterwards. It was dark and this was intensified by falling snow. Soon after 6.30am it was reported that some groups had lost direction and were unable to get through the wire. Casualties were heavy and reports were confused; it seems that some men did push through but were compelled to withdraw due to heavy fire. Finally, a bombing post was established and this was successful in capturing enemy ration parties. During the day 19 men were killed, 128 wounded and 68 reported as missing.' (www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/media)
Walter Chambers enlisted in the Army Reserve (Special Reservists) on a 6 year engagement on 2 November 1910 and served with the Royal Field Artillery (11430 Driver). He joined at Newcastle upon Tyne on 8 November 1910 and then attended annual training from 1911 to 1914. Walter was mobilized on 6 August 1914 and posted to 25 Bde, 113 Bty, on 1 March 1916. He completed 9 years 107 days service with the RFA: Home 2 November 1910-18 August 1914. France 19 August 1914-21 July 1918. Leave 22 July 1918-22 August 1918. France 23 August 1918-10 April 1919. Home 11 April 1919-31 March 1920. He was discharged to the Army Reserve (Class Z) on 24 July 1919 and discharged on 31 March 1920 on the termination of his engagement. He qualified for the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Ernest Chambers served in the Royal Scots (41080 Private), enlisting in December 1915 and joining at Derby on 1 May 1916. He served in France for six months in 1917 and nine months in 1918. He transferred to the Army Reserve (Class 'Z') on 9 February 1919 and was discharged to 106 Independent Street, Radford. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 9 April 1917: ‘Chambers. On April 6th, William Chambers, of 106, Independent-street. Deeply mourned by sorrowing wife and family.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 17 November 1918: ‘Chambers. In loving memory of Percy Arthur Chambers, killed in action, November 18th, 1916. Not our will, O Lord, but Thine be done. From his loving mother, sisters, and brothers (with the colours).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 18 & 19 November 1918: ‘Chambers. In loving remembrance of Percy Arthur Chambers, killed in action November 18th, 1916. From his loving mother and family.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 17 November 1919: ‘Chambers. In loving memory of Percy Arthur Chambers, killed the battle of the Somme November 17th (sic), 1916. From his loving mother, sisters, and brothers.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
