Thomas Chambers

65902 Lance Corporal Thomas Chambers entered theatre after 1 January 1916 and was posted to 1st battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). Thomas' family was told in June that their son had been reported missing, probably during the Battle of the Aisne when the 1st battalion had all but ceased to exist by 5 June with casualties and missing totalling 680 all ranks, leaving 110 all ranks in the battalion. By October the same year his family was told that Thomas had died of wounds received in action. Although the newspaper reports of his death give the date as 4 June the CWGC record gives his date of death as 5 June 1918. Thomas is buried in Vailly British Cemetery (grave ref. I.AA.8).

Personal inscription on CWGC gravestone: 'Worthy of everlasting remembrance' L/Cpl. Thomas Chambers, “A” 1st Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, was wounded and taken prisoner, most probably, on 27th May 1918. He died of those wounds on 5th June 1918. “CHAMBERS. – To the dear memory of Lance-Corpl. Thomas Chambers, aged 20, the beloved eldest son of Thomas and Clara Chambers, Bulwell, reported missing June, now reported died of wounds June 4th, 1918. Fond memories, shattered hopes. – Sorrowing mother and father, sisters, brothers, grandma, and auntie Annie." “CHAMBERS. – To the dear memory of Lance-Corpl. Thomas Chambers, the dearly-loved son of Thomas and Clara Chambers, Bulwell, aged 20, reported missing June, now reported died of wounds June 4th, 1918. The supreme sacrifice. – From grandma, aunts, and uncles.” [1] “CHAMBERS. – To the dear memory of Lance-Corpl. Thomas Chambers, aged 20, the beloved eldest son of Thomas and Clara Chambers, Bulwell, reported missing June, now reported died of wounds June 4th, 1918. Fond memories, shattered hopes. – Sorrowing mother and father, sisters, brother, grandma, auntie Annie, fiancée Minnie." “CHAMBERS. – To the dear memory of Lance-Corpl. Thomas Chambers, the dearly-loved son of Thomas and Clara Chambers, Bulwell, aged 20, reported missing June, now reported died of wounds June 4th, 1918. The supreme sacrifice. – From grandma, aunts, and uncles.” [2] [1] 'Nottingham Evening Post,' 29th October 1918. [2] 'Nottingham Evening Post,' 31st October 1918. Above items are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.