Robert Chaworth-Musters
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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He was the fifth son of Mrs MA Chaworth-Musters of 13 Low Pavement Nottingham and the late JP Chaworth-Musters DL JP of Annesley Park Nottinghamshire. They had four daughters and seven sons: Patricius ('Pat') George (1888-1915), John ('Jack') Neville (1890-1970), Anthony ('Tony') (1892-1987), Philip ('Phil') Mundy (1895-1917), Robert ('Bob' (1896-1918), Douglas (1898-1957), James Lawrence ('Jim') (1901-1948). All but James, who was too young, served in the Great War. Robert's eldest brother, Lieutenant Patricius George Chaworth-Musters, King's Royal Rifle Corps, died of wounds 11 January 1915 aged 26 (Bethune Town Cemetery) and another brother, Captain Philip Mundy Chaworth-Musters MC, Royal Field Artillery, was killed 18 July 1917, aged 22 (Poperinghe New Military Cemetery). A cousin, Lieutenant Roger Michael Chaworth-Musters, Royal Flying Corps, was killed 7 May 1917.
He served for 4 years and 2 months and died in Cosham Military Hospital of pneumonia following influenza. He is buried in Annesley and Felley Cemetery (grave ref 276, east part).www.nottingham.ac.uk/manuscriptsandspecialcollections/collectionsindepth/family/chaworth-mustersofannesley/biographies/firstworldwarservice: 'Bob was educated at Rugby School. He joined the British Forces at the age of 18 in 1914 and was commissioned into the King's Royal Rifle Corps, serving with the 12th Service Battalion. Bob saw action at the battles of Neuve Chapelle and Aubers Ridge in 1915 and was recommended for the Military Cross. The decoration was awarded to him following the battle of Loos, near Ypres, the following year. He suffered from various illnesses during his time in the trenches, including trench fever, laryngitis, diphtheria and pleurisy, and by July 1917 had been taken away from the front line to serve as an instructor in the 3rd Army Musketry Camp. His health was assessed in February 1918 at Cap St Martin, and soon afterwards he was posted to the Hythe School of Musketry in England. However, by May he was staying in a convalescent home, Langstone House in South Hayling. There, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis, which it was said he had had for five years. In August he was moved to Cosham Military Hospital. His health appeared to be improving, but in October he caught Spanish flu, and then pneumonia. He died on 10 October 1918, aged 22.'
A family grave in Annesley and Felley Cemetery, adjacent to All Saints Church, commemorates members of the Chaworth-Musters family including Robert and his brothers: 'Sacred to the memory of Robert Chaworth-Musters MC, Captn 12th Battn Kings Royal Rifles, died in hospital Octr 10th 1918, after 4 years & 2 months service, aged 22. Also of his brothers Patricius George Chaworth-Musters, Lieut 1st Battn Kings Royal Rifles, fell in France Jany 11th 1915, aged 26, buried at Bethune. And Philip Mundy Chaworth-Musters MC, Captn RFA fell in Flanders, July 17th 1917, aged 22. Buried at Poperinghe. He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto Him. Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life' Family memorial in All Saints Church, Annesley (WMA26871): ‘To the glorious memory of Patricius George Chaworth-Musters (text), Philip Mundy Chaworth-Musters MC (text) and Robert Chaworth-Musters MC (text), eldest, fourth and fifth sons of John Patricius Chaworth-Musters Esq of Annesley Park, Notts, and their cousin, Roger Michael Chaworth-Musters, Lieutenant 50th Squadron Royal Flying Corps, second son of Lancelot George BM Chaworth-Musters Esq, of Field Dalling, Norfolk, He fell in aerial combat in France May 7th 1917 aged 19. In the morning of their lives.’
