William Chambers MM (1888–1966)

Sergeant

Sherwood Forsters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
31754
19th Reserve Battalion
Machine Gun Corps 27716 124 Coy; 41st Battalion

Biography
William, born at Fritchley, spent his early years living with his grandparents at Lower Hartshay. Working as a colliery labourer he enlisted in the Foresters in Oct 1915 and transferred to the MGC in March 1916, entering France in June 1916. In Dec 1917, he was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry. He was demobbed in Dec 1918 later marrying Catherine Collins at Birmingham Register Office, 24 February 1934. They had two sons. William lived in the Birmingham area for the rest of his life.

Medal Index Card
Awarded the Victory and British War medals.

Service Record
William Attested on 27 October 1915 aged 28, an unmarried collier, living at Lower Hartshay, Ripley. His height was 5ft 6in and he gave his next of kin as his father George Chambers 26 Alton Road, Bowinebrook, Birmingham.
27/10/15 Enlisted
10/11/15 Posted to Notts & Derbys Regt.
20/03/16 Transferred to Machine Gun Corps
16/06/16 To France with 124 Coy MGC
13/12/16 Appointed unpaid L/Corpl
03/10/17 Promoted to Corporal
10/12/17 In Gazette, awarded the Military Medal
16/07/18 Appointed L/Sgt
08/08/18 To hospital with gastritis
28/08/18 Promoted Sergeant
28/12/18 To UK for demob aboard Princess Victoria

13008 SUPPLEMENT to the LONDON GAZETTE 12 December 1917
Military Medal awards
27116 L/C Chambers W., M.G. Corps (Birmingham)

Newspaper report

Birmingham Daily Post, 13 December 1917
MILITARY MEDAL
27716 Lce.-corpl. W. Chambers, M.G.Corps (Birmingham)

CENSUS INFORMATION

1891: Chaddesden, Derby

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
George Chambers Head 22 Railway signalman Heage
Mary A Chambers wife 23   Crich
William Chambers son 2   Crich

RG12 piece 2728 folio 159 page 11

1901: Lower Hartshay, Ripley

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Frank Chambers Head 61 Colliery weigh clerk Ripley
Sarah Chambers wife 64   Heage
William Chambers grandson 12   Crich

RG13 piece 3229 folio 7 page 6

1911: Lower Hartshay, Ripley

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Sarah Chambers Head (widow) 75   Heage
William Chambers grandson 23 Colliery labourer above ground Fritchley

RG14PN20977 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED6 SN55

1939 Register: 886 Pershore Road, Birmingham
William Chambers b. 3 October 1888 Navvy
Catherine Chambers b. 21 September 1896