William Henry Chater
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William Henry Chater was born in 1873 he was the son of Charles John a coal miner and Sarah Ann Charter née Smith of 44 Coupland Place, Somercotes, Derbyshire. Charles John was born in 1852 at Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, Sarah Ann Smith was born in 1852 at Bottesford, she died in 1918 aged 66 yrs, they were married on 5th May 1872 at St Marks Church, Chesterfield they had 6 children, sadly two died in infancy or early childhood. William Henry married Elizabeth Ann Shawcroft (born 1886 at Stanton hill) they were married in 1907 at Mansfield, Elizabeth brought a child to the marriage Alice Mary Shawcroft born 1907 they had a son George Robert Chater born 1909 at Pinxton, they lived at 77 Blackwell Road, Huthwaite. In 1911 he lived at 1 Compton St, Holmewood, Chesterfield, he is 38 yrs and a coal miner loader, he is living with his wife Elizabeth Ann 25yrs and two children, Alice Mary Shawcroft 4yrs and George Robert Chater 2 yrs old.
Private William Henry Chater served with the 3rd battalion, Machine Gun Corps, he was discharged from the Army on 7th June 1920. He died on 7th January 1920 and was buried with full military honours on 11th January 1920 , at Huthwaite Cemetery.
From Free Press – 16th January, 1920. On Sunday afternoon, Pte. William Hy. Chater, late Machine Gun Corps, was interred in the Cemetery, accompanied by honours due to a gallant soldier. The coffin, enshrined with the Union Jack, was borne by a party of eight Gordon Highlanders from Clipstone Camp, and the B Winning Band played the “Dead March in Saul” as a slow march. The Huthwaite Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers followed in the rear, and a halt was made at the Church, where an address was given by the Vicar, and appropriate music played by Mr. C. Alban Wilders. The Last Post was sounded at the graveside, and three volleys were fired by the Clipstone firing party. Though the weather was wretched, there were huge crowds assembled to witness the funeral. Pte. Chater, who was 47 years of age, leaves a wife and small family to mourn his loss.
