Leonard Chandler
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Leonard was the son of Mary Ann Chandler (née Clarke or Clark) and her second husband Frederick Chandler.Mary Ann Clarke was born in Newark, Nottinghamshire, on 19 December 1863. Her first husband, Charles, was born in Woolwich, Kent, in 1861, the son of John and Elizabeth Chandler (née Hughes). In 1871 they were living in Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, with their five children including Charles (9) and Frederick, born Ollerton on 19 December 1869. Mary Ann married Charles Chandler at Newark Christ Church on 25 November 1883. They had at least seven children: Frederick George b. Newark 1884, Kate b. Newark 28 March 1886, Walter b. Newark 6 September 1887, Albert b. Retford 4 September 1889, Charles b. Thrumpton 11 July 1891, Mabel b. Thrumpton 5 November 1892 and Arthur Clarke b. Thrumpton 18 April 1895.Charles died in 1896 (J/A/S) and his widow Mary Ann married secondly her brother-in-law Frederick Chandler on 5 June 1897 (A/M/J East Retford). Frederick was a regular soldier serving with the Notts & Derby Regiment (2430 Private). He had joined in 1888, having previously served in the Militia, and was not discharged from the Army until 4 December 1901.Frederick and Mary had three children who were all born in Thrumpton: Leonard b. 13 January 1898, Margaret Emma EB b. 1903 and Gladys Minnie F. b. 1905.In 1901 Mary was living in Thrumpton and described on the census as a 'soldier's wife'; her husband was serving in South Africa. In the home on the night of the census were her eight children Frederick a paper mill labourer, Kate, Walter, Albert, Charles, Mabel, Arthur and Leonard.Frederick, a gas engineer, and Mary were living at 11 Nelson Street, Retford, by 1911. In the home were Walter, a labourer at the Rubber Works, and Arthur, described as Frederick's stepsons, and their children Leonard, Margaret and Minnie.Albert has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census, but Frederick George had married Mary Cook in 1908; Kate had married Alfred Millington in 1905 and they were living in Retford with their children Denis Bernars and Hilda; Charles (19), a blacksmith's striker, was an in-patient in Retford Cottage Hospital and Mabel was a domestic servant in the household of Rev. Collett in West Retford.At the time of Leonard's death in 1916 his parents were living at 56 Nelson Street.Three other sons also served in the war. Walter served with the 8th battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) and Albert with the Royal Engineers; both survived the war. Arthur served with 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) and died of wounds on 7 September 1915.In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Frederick, a retired steam joint fitter, and Mary were living with their married daughter Margaret (m. 1925, d. 1982), her husband Percy Reginald Dukes (b. 1 August 1898 d. 1982) and their son Gordon (b. 1929) at 33 Victoria Road, Retford. Mary Ann died in 1944 and Frederick in 1949. Their daughter Gladys had married John W Turgoose in 1928 and in 1939 they were proprietors of The Prince of Wales Hotel, Harrogate. Gladys died in 1991 (A/M/J Kingsbridge Devon).Of Leonard's half-siblings, Frederick George died in 1954, Kate Millington in 1921, Walter in 1948, Albert in 1963, Charles in 1968, and Mabel Chandler in 1918.
Leonard enlisted in Retford and served with the 1/8th battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derbys Regiment.) Leonard served with the BEF France from 28th June 1915. He died from wounds on 15th April 1916 and is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France (grave ref. I.A.40).He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.CWGC - History of Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension (extract): 'Before March, 1916, Aubigny was in the area of the French Tenth Army, and 327 French soldiers were buried in the Extension to the West of what is now Plot IV. From March 1916 to the Armistice, Aubigny was held by Commonwealth troops and burials were made in the Extension until September 1918. The 42nd Casualty Clearing Station buried in it during the whole period, the 30th in 1916 and 1917, the 24th and 1st Canadian in 1917 (during the capture of Vimy Ridge by the Canadian Corps) and the 57th in 1918.' (www.cwgc.org)
Leonard's father, Frederick Chandler, joined the Militia in 1885 and then in 1888 enlisted in the Notts & Derby Regiment (2430 Private). He served for 13 years 6 days: Home 29 November 1888-14 October 1890; East Indies 15 October 1890-2 January 1897; Home 3 January 1897-10 November 1899; South Africa 11 November 1899-3 December 1901. Home 4 December 1901-4 December 1901.Retford and Worksop Herald & North Notts Advertiser, 17 March 1900: The War Close to Home. ‘Our Roll Call’. Retford and district have contributed numerous men to the present army, in its various sections, now serving in South Africa, as will be seen by the list below … Private Frederick Chandler, 38 Albert road, Ordsall, Retford, Sherwood Foresters. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Three of Leonard's half-brothers served during war. Walter served with the 8th battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys Regiment) and Albert with the Royal Engineers; both survived. Arthur Clark served with the 2nd battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys Regiment) and died of wounds on 7th September 1915. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Retford and Worksop Herald & North Notts Advertiser, 15 September 1914: ‘Messrs, Jenkins and CG’s Roll of Honour. Exhibited in Messrs. W Loseby and Sons’ window is a well designed roll of honour bearing the names of those employees who have volunteered in various capacities to fight for their country. The scroll has been designed in the offices of the firm and is distinctly creditable to the artist, Mr Jack Kelsall. The names are as follows … Leonard Chandler. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Retford and Worksop Herald and North Notts Advertiser, 18 May 1915: ‘Four Retford Sons Serving. The Chandler Family’s Record. We give below the photos of the four sons of Mr and Mrs Chandler, 56, Nelson-street, and their son-in-law, who are now serving their King and country. Pte. Walter Chandler, the eldest son, is well known in the town as a member of the Territorials and the Ambulance Brigade. When the mobilising order came out in August last he went up with the other members of the Retford Company and has served with the 8th Sherwood Foresters since that time, and is now ‘somewhere in France.’ He was an employee of the Rubber Works. Leonard is also with the 8th, and is now serving with the Reserve Battalion at Luton. He was employed at Messrs. Jenkins and Co. Rifleman A [Albert] Chandler joined the King’s Royal Rifles in September last, signing on for 12 years. Formerly he was on the Great Central [Railway]. Pte AC Chandler joined the 2nd Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters, for the duration of the war, and is now in France. He was formerly in the North Box at the station. Their brother-in-law, Pte A Millington, employed at Messrs. Bradshaw’s has also joined the Sherwood Foresters, and is now at Crown Hill Forts, Plymouth. We congratulate this family on their worthy example in patriotism and self-sacrifice. All the five are natives of Retford.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Retford and Worksop Herald & North Notts Advertiser, 7 September 1915: ‘Pte AC Chandler Wounded. Mrs Chandler, of Nelson-street, has this morning received a letter from the Record Office at Litchfield, to the effect that her son, Pte AC Chandler, of the 2nd Notts. and Derby Regt., is lying dangerously ill at the Stationary Hospital, St Omer, France, suffering from a gun shot wound in the head. Another son, Pte Walter Chandler, is at home on leave, having resigned from further service with 8th Sherwood Foresters, whilst a third son, Pte. Leonard Chandler, has just gone into the trenches for his first experience in the firing line.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Retford and Worksop Herald & North Notts Advertiser, 25 April 1916:‘Patriotic Retford Family’s Sad Loss. As reported in a previous issue, Pte. Leonard Chandler, son of Mr and Mrs Chandler, 56, Nelson-street, was severely wounded whilst serving at the front, and the painful news has now reached the bereaved parents, that despite every attention, and when he seemed to be making excellent progress, he succumbed to his wounds. Leonard wrote home a very bright and cheery letter on the 13th, in which he stated he was ;getting on all right;, and expected to be in England shortly. Chaplain GH Donald also wrote in the following encouraging strain: ‘I was visiting some of our boys in the hospital to-day, and spoke to your son. He is getting on very well, and his wounds are healing well. He is quite cheerful and looks well, although he suffers a good deal of pain when his wounds are being dressed. He will probably be sent down to a hospital at the Base, and will write you from there. He is having every care and attention, and the best of skill. He’s a fine fellow.’ The sad information of his death was conveyed in the following letter from the Chaplain H A Forbes, 'I regret to have to inform you that your son, Pte L Chandler, Sherwood Foresters (TF), died of wounds here on the 15th inst., and is buried in the cemetery here. As I have just arrived, I am sorry I cannot give you any particulars. With sincere sympathy with you in your great sorrow.' etc. This is the secod son of Mr and Mrs Chandler to make the great sacrifice for King and country. Pte AC Chandler dying last year as a result of wounds. Two other sons and a son-in-law are also with the Colours. Pte Walter Chandler, the eldest, is a Territorial, Sapper Albert Chandler has joined the Royal Engineers; while the son-in-law, Pte A Millington [husband of Kate], is in the Sherwood Foresters. The father served with the Sherwood Foresters through the South African campaign, and is now an employee at Messrs. WJ Jenkins and Co.’s engineering works.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Retford Times, 12 May 1916:'Pte L Chandler. Above we reproduce a photograph of Pte L Chandler, Sherwood Foresters, son of Mr and Mrs Chandler, 56 Nelson Street, Retford, whose death we recorded a few weeks ago. His brother, Pte A C Chandler died last year as a result of wounds. Two other brothers [Walter & Albert] and a brother in law [Alfred Millington] are serving. Mr and Mrs Chandler and family wish to thank all kind friends for their many expressions of condolence and sympathy during their sad bereavement.'
