Biography of Private Thomas Chambers (241919)
2nd/5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment
Died 29th April 1918

Mother

• Name: Sarah Harriet Barrow
• DOB: 1857
• Place Of Birth: Northwich, Cheshire, England
• Marriage: 24th June 1878 Heaton Chapel, St Thomas, Lancashire

• None found

Wife’s parents

• Father: Walter Henry Sharpe
• Mother: Elizabeth Garfit Lyon

Newspaper Mentions

• Grantham Journal Saturday 18th May 1918
  CHAMBERS- In loving memory of Pte, T. Chambers, of the Lincolnshire Regiment, the beloved husband of D. M. Chambers, who died of wounds, in France, on April 29th, 1918.

  The best of husbands, kind and true,
  Until the day breaks.

  Mrs. Chambers and Family, Little Bytham, thank their numerous friends for kind letters and messages of sympathy.

• CHAMBERS – In everloving memory of our dear son and brother, Pte. Thomas Chambers, who died in france, of wounds received in action, April 29th, 1918, aged 36 years.

  If we could have seen him at the last,
  And heard his last farewell.
  The blow would not have been so hard,
  To us who loved him well.

  From his sorrowing MOTHER and FATHER, and BROTHERS (DAVID and CHARLES).

Military Records

Medals

• The British Medal
• The Victory Medal

Memorials

• UK:
• Bourne, Bourne War Memorial in the Memorial Gardens

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
• In memory of Private T Chambers, 241919, 2nd/5th Bn., Lincolnshire Regiment who died on 29 April 1918
• Remembered with honour, Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
• Grave XXVIII. E. 1.

© Picture taken by South Lincolnshire War Memorials

Military Service Timeline

• We are not sure when Thomas joined the Army as his service records cannot be found. These were, along with 60% of all WW1 records, most likely destroyed in the warehouse fire where they were being kept in the WW2 London Blitz.

  We can see by the War Gratuity Payment that Dorothy would eventually receive for her deceased Husband, that Thomas most likely joined up in August 1916 being given the number 241919.

  In January 1916 the Military Services Act came into being meaning that any single man aged 41 or less and not in a protected occupation, were to be conscripted into Military Service in March 1916 and all existing soldiers would be liable to overseas service. Later that year conscription would be extended to include married men. It is fair to say that Thomas would be conscripted into the Army and attested to the Lincolnshire Regiment.

  After September 1916 men would no longer be trained in their attested Regimental Battalion and due to the numbers of men would be posted to a newly formed training reserve battalion for their basic training. Without records we cannot tell which route Thomas Chambers took but we do know that he was posted to the 2/5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, a territorial Battalion.

  The 5th battalion would follow the pattern of many territorial battalions which were made up of a first Line Battalion (1st 5th), a second line battalion (2/5th) and a third line training battalion (3rd / 5th). Initially the 1st line battalions would serve abroad, the 2nd line would train and feed the 1st line battalion but before long in the war the 2nd line battalions would also be sent into the field leaving the 3rd line battalions to train the men.

  The 2/5th Lincolnshire were training for overseas service (before Thomas joined) and were sent to serve in Ireland in April 1916 following the Easter Rising. The battalion would be recalled to England in January 1917 to finish their final training for overseas service at Fovant.

  We do not know when Thomas Chambers would finish his training as the period was dependant on the battalion and not a centralised approach that would come in with the Training Reserve.

  We have to assume that Thomas was with his battalion when they were posted overseas in February 1917 as part of the 177th Brigade, part of the 59th (2nd North Midlands) Division. The Battalion Diary describes the start of their war:

  23/2/1917 – Fovant

  11.40 – A Company and one platoon of B Company entrained at Dinton for Southampton.

  11.50 – Remainder of the battalion entrained for Southampton, 105 other ranks remained in England

  19.00 – Southampton – Embarked on S.S. Connaught for Le Havre.
  24/2/1917 – Le Havre

  8.00 – Disembarked at Le Havre and proceeded to No 5 Rest Camp. Now in France 29 officers and 907 other ranks.

  12.30 – A Company plus one platoon of B Company entrained at Point 3. Gare des Marchandises.

  19:30 – Remainder f Battalion entrained at Point 1 Gare des Marchandises
  25/2/1917 – Le Saleux

  14.30 – A Company plus 1 platoon of B Company detrained at Le Saleux and proceeded to Bacovel by march route and went into billets.

  16.30 – Remainder of Battalion detrained at Le Saleux and to Bacovel by march route and went into billets arriving 18.15

  18.15 – Bacouel – Companies billeted in order A.B.C.D along main road running S to N. Headquarters at the Mairie and School.
  26.2.1917 – Bacouel

  Inspection of kit, transport equipment.
  27.2.1917 – Bacouel

  10.0 – Battalion proceeded by march route to Fouecamps and went into billets Companies.

  15.30 – Fouencamps – Companies billeted along main road in order A.B.C.D. running N to S. Following issues were made – one additional blanket per man (each man had 2) one breech cover for rifle and Lewis gun.
  28.1.1917 – Fouencamps

  9.0 – Battalion proceeded by march route to Bayonvillers arriving 15.15. Billets on Rue de Lamotte, N end of village.
  1.3.1917 – Bayonvillers

  Strength of battalion 29 officers, 909 other ranks. 3 men admitted to hospital sick. Day devoted to inspection of kit and and interior ecomony, drill and bayonet fighting.
  2.3.1917 – Bayonvillers

  All ranks issued with small box respirator. One P.H. helmet per man withdrawn. 7 men admitted to hospital sick. Training continued. Drill, bayonet fighting. Lewis gun classes.
  3.3.1917 – Bayonvillers

  Training continued, C.O, adjutant, bombing and intelligence officers proceeded to front line trenches preparatory to relief of front line units by this Battalion. Attached to 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry whom this Battalion will relieve in the front line trenches.
  4.3.1917 – Bayonvillers

  Routine work continued. The Battalion bombing officer, Lieut G Goodman was wounded in the right arm at 11.50pm. While in front line trench at N.34.b.7.0 one platoon per company sent up into the front line preparatory to relief, for instruction. These were attached to Companies of the 5th D.L.I.
  5.3.1917 – Bayonvillers

  Training continued – Lewis gun classes, gas helmet drill. Bayonet fighting
  6.3.1917 – Bayonvillers

  Battalion route marched from Bayonvillers to Triangle Copse (Map reference M.17.C.8.7) and were accommodated in dugouts and shelters. A, D & C Companies at M.17.c.8.7, B Company at M.10.d.9.5.
  7.3.1917 – Triangle Copse

  5.30pm – Relief of 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry on front line trenches commenced. Owing to the impassable state of the communication trench – knee deep in mud, the relief was carried out over the top and was accomplished without casualties, and was completed without hitch.

  11.15pm – Relief reported complete. The Line now held by the battalion is the left subsector of the sector allotted to the 177th infantry Brigade and run between the limits N.28.d.9.4 and N.34.d.5.5 the scheme of defence was as in appendix VI and was carried on under instructions of G.O.C. 177th Infantry Brigade pending the issue of further orders. The front line appeared to be too strongly held. The Battalion was in touch on the left flank with troops of the 1st Division – Munster Fusiliers and on the right flank with the 2/4th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment.

  The trenches are in a very bad condition and communication trenches are in most cases impassible.
  8.3.1917 – Front Line Trenches

  Working parties at work on clearing of communication trenches progress was made but scoops are really necessary to remove mud. 5 men wounded by grenade fire. This appears to be the chief missile in this area. The lines were bombarded with grenades during most of the day. A few rounds of shrapnel were also sent over. On the whole the enemy is very quiet and his line appears to be very thinly held. Our dispositions are 360 men in the front lines, 180 in support and 180 in reserve.

  3 men wounded by grenades.
  9.3.17 – Front Line Trenches

  Situation still quiet. Many fires have been observed in the enemy support trenches and behind his lines. Our patrols have been inactive owing to bright moonlight. Inter company relief was carried out. Present dispositions C&D Companies in front line, B in support, A in reserve.
  10.3.1917 – Front Line Trenches

  Situation still quiet. The line was shelled intermittently during the day by fishtail bombs. Condition of trenches much better rowing to post.

  12.00 – An officer patrol under 2/Lieut R.H. Turner which went out at 12 midnight did not return.
  11.3.1917 – Front Line Trenches

  Thaw has set in and trenches are rapidly becoming impassable. Cleaning work is being continued but there is no easy communication from to rear via communications trenches.

  8.30pm – The patrol reported as missing on 10.3.1917 returned having lain out in a shell hole all day, about 30 yards from German wire. They report work proceeding in enemy trenches and gave information on enemy’s wire – thick & deep.

  9.00 pm – B company relieved front line posts of D Company as the men of later company were exhausted. Mud very bad in front line trenches.
  12.3.1917 – Front Line Trenches

  5.00 am – Under previous arrangements the Battalion should have been relieved on the night of 11th – 12th but this was delayed. The front line fire trench is in a very bad condition and the men are very exhausted after 3 days. It has been necessary to dig men out of the mud.

  7.30am – Captain A.H.Worrall wounded – rifle bullet through left elbow. Captain C.N. Newsum assumed command of C Company on front line. Situation quiet all day. A few bombs and rounds of shrapnel were sent over. Casualties 1 man killed, 1 man wounded.

  7.30pm – Fires observed in German reserve lines. Relief by 2/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment commenced. All parts relieved over the top.

  11.45pm – Relief completed. Companies moved independently to Triangle Wood to dugouts. This is at M.17.C.8.7 the position of the Battalion in reserve.
  13.3.17 – Triangle Wood

  Day devoted to bathing ad interior economy. Particular attention is paid to bathing of feet with potash soap and dusting with talc powder. This is to prevent trench feet. No of cases in the unit since 7.3.17 is 10, 7 of which had not been able to have the prophylactic treatment. Several small items of equipment have been lost in the mud.
  14.3.1917 – Triangle Wood

  Training continued. Box respirators tested in lacrimatory gas. Most of them were quite satisfactory. Working party (200 strong) were found for work on reserve and communication trenches.
  15.3.1917 – Triangle Wood

  Training continued. Working parties found as for 14.3.1917.

  10.50 – B.V.S. Poyser wounded by shrapnel while in change of a working party at trench Leduc. Bathing for men at Brigade Baths at Fay. Situation in line still quiet.

  Major H.G Madeley admitted to hospital with laryngitis. The following officers are sick in hospital, Capt F.S. Letten, Lieut W.H.N. Hewer, 2/Lieuts G.J. Pearson, F.D. Emery, M.T. Chambers.
  16.3.1917 – Triangle Wood

  Training continued. Bathing continued. Clean clothing has been issued to all NCOs and men from the Divisional Laundry.

  Capt F.P. Sturm R.A.M.C having been admitted to hospital sick, Capt W.P. Tindale-Atkinson R.A.M.C took over duties of medical officer to the Battalion.

  Situation very quiet. It is believed that the enemy have withdrawn east of the Somme. All working parties cancelled.
  17.3.1917 – Triangle Wood

  Orders received to be in readiness to move forward as enemy have withdrawn from his trenches. Rations for the 18.3.17 were brought up and held in readiness to issue, and arrangements made for bringing up rations on horses in case the Battalion moved forward. The roads are impassable for limbered wagons.
  Over the next few days the Battalion pushed forward eventually by the 26th March (one month after going forward) the Battalion was east of Beaumetz. What we have just been reading is the 2/5th Battalions involvement in what was to become the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line.
  We have used the Battalion diary to tell the story of the Battalion and their first month in action overseas, a story of hardship, mud, first casualties, training and what was needed to keep the men from developing trench feet.
  The next port of call for the Battalion would be their arrival in Flanders on the 1st of September. In this autumn they were to be involved in the Battles of the Menin Road ridge and Polygon Wood, before moving to Lens then Bapaume. They would be involved in the capture of Bourlon Wood and then withdrawn from the line in December for further training.
  During January the battalion were in training near Ambrines this included Platoon and Company training, foring range training for the Lewis Gunners and musketry training for the men. It was noted that “During the month the health of the men has considerably improved and frequenct baths and changing clothing have resultd in most of them being free from body lice. Blankets have been stored and the mens outer clothing frequently ironed”.
  Having read the above we also discover that on the 23rd January 1918 Private Thomas Chambers of ‘B’ Company, 2/5th Lincolns, was admitted to the 31st Ambulance Train. He was diagnosed with Bronchial Catarrh (Dental?), entrained in Mendingham and detrained on the same day in Wimereux.

  Wimereux was the location for many British Expeditionary Force general and stationary hospitals.
  We have no records to say what happened to Thomas next but we know at some point he re-joined his Battalion in the field but in February 1918 the 2/5th battalion went back into the line at Bullecourt.
  The 2/5th Battalion had spent March 1918 in the area south east of Arras, at Bullecourt, before being moved to Watou west of Poperinge, Belgium, an area used for Battalions moving up to the Ypres salient.

  After 4 day of refit the Battalion preceded on the 4th April into the line on the Zonnebeke sector of the salient. After a further 5 days in the line near Zonnebeke the Battalion was moved into reserve at St Jean for 2 further days before being entrained for Mont des Cats and then Marched to Locre on the 14th April.
  We return to the battalion Diary for a detailed look at the story of the Battalion in what would be Private Thomas Chambers’ last two weeks.
  14th April 1918 – Mont des Cats

  2am -Mont Des Cats – Battalion marched to Locre (M.23C sheet 28) where it was temporarily accommodated in huts at 4:50 am.

  11am – Locre – Battalion moved out along the Locre – Dranoutre road to about M.29 see where it cleared the road and awaited orders. The CEO and company commanders went forward to reconnoitre the reserve line south of Dranoutre.

  Orders were received to relieve the 88th infantry Brigade in the line on Ravelsburg Ridge in S.16 and 17, 22 and 23 Company commanders went off at once to recognise the line and battalion moved off about 10:30 pm. The 88th infantry Brigade had only occupied their positions for 14 hours and as this Battalion was relieving three regiments relief was not completed until 5:30 am.
  15th April 1918 – Bailleul

  5.30am – Bailleul – Battalion took over as follows having all their companies holding line, 4 advance posts – 1 from each company. These posts were dug in on the forward slopes along the line S.2 1D.I want to S.23B.0.0 distributed at intervals of about 400 feet. They were age garrisoned by one platoon.

  Each company held a part of the support line with three platoons this line was dug on the reverse flow of the Ravelsburg ridge along the line S.21.D.0.5 to S.23.A.7.5.

  Battalion HQ in a trench at S.16.C.0.7

  6.0 am – Bailleul – To hostile patrols about 20 strong advanced against our posts in S.22.D they were driven off leaving three prisoners in our hands and 17 dead and wounded in front of our post.

  7.0 am – A hostile patrol advanced against the machine-gun post in S.20 to say they were counter-attacked and driven off leaving 12 prisoners in our hands. During the morning I deserters came over to our lines.

  12.0 noon – For an account of the operation during the remainder of the day see special appendix attached.

  Appendix – An account of the part taken by the 2/5th Bn Lincolnshire Rgt in operations East of Bailleul on 15th April 1918.

  12.0 Noon – At this hour the battalion was disposed as previously described in the war diary to which this account form is in appendix. This position has been taken up during the night 14th and 15th of April 1918.

  A heavy bombardment of our position commenced at 12 noon and continued until 2:30 pm when it changed to a barrage falling along the line of that of the units on our right and left.

  2.45pm – The enemy delivered an attack against the fourth Lincoln regiment on our left but their line remained remained intact.

  3.40pm – Enemy attack developed against our right company in S.21.D this attack was repulsed by our lewis gun and rifle fire.

  4.30pm – Left the company commander reported the enemy on the ridge on his immediate left and that the forthcoming concert fallen back from the ridge. They formed a defences flank facing east still keeping in touch with our left company (D company).

  5.25pm – At 5:25 pm the line of the 4th Lincoln Regiment in S.16.B and 17.A withdrew to the railway cutting in S.17.A, 11c, 16b and 16a.

  5.45pm – The enemy forced his way over the back of the hill at S.16 D breaking the line of the 4th Lincoln and getting behind the left flank of our Battalion including one for platoon of the 4th Lincolns which had continuously maintained touch with our left.

  At the same time a frontal attack developed along our front. The left company was last seen in its original position fighting at very close quarters with the enemy. The Lewis gun of this company fired to the last, the enemy advancing in close formations at very short range the remaining three companies on the ridge came under very heavy machine gun fire from the left where the enemy had gained a footing on the ridge.

  These companies have heavy casualties and swung round to form a flank facing east. They were gradually driven back on to a line taken up by the 176 infantry Brigade north-east of Bailleul.

  6.15pm – Patrols were sent out from Battalion HQ to get in touch with the companies in Front but found only the enemy. To conform with the movements of the 4th Lincoln Regiment battalion headquarters withdrew to S.10.C.7.2 where two companies of the 9th Northumberland Fusiliers were found to be holding a line.

  The Battalion HQ personnel were organised into five units and extended the line of the Fusiliers to the right from S.10.C.3.2 to S.10.C.7.2. The enemy attack was checked here.

  7pm – During the night the enemy by means of patrols push forward on finding that out right flank was open. Several patrols were sent out to try and establish touch with our troops on the right but without success. In order to prevent the enemy penetrating this gap to platoons of the ninth Northumberland Fusiliers were brought up and the line extended some 500 feet to the north-west to S.9.D.90.75.

  11pm – This was the position when orders were received from Brigade to withdraw to Locre.

  The following casualties were sustained:

  Officers –

  Killed. Lieut Colnel H B Roffey D.S.O

  Wounded, 2/Lieut Dickinson

  Missing, 2/Lieut W G Fenton, 2/Lieut J C Myers.

  Other ranks –

  Killed, Wounded and Missing, 352

  Report signed by Major Commanding 2/5 Lincoln Rgt.
  16th April 1918 – Bailleul

  2.0 am – Battalion HQ withdrew from positions at S.10.C and D and moved to Locre where they were joined by details from companies who withdrew to Bailleul. Battalion was accommodated in huts at M.17.C.2.2and rested all day.
  17th April 1918 – Locre

  Italian was amalgamated with fourth Lincoln regiment and the composite battalion then formed was known as major homes as battalion after commander of fourth Lincolns. The 77th Brigade with details attached was known as General Jameses force.

  8.30am – Battalion moved up to position of readiness for counter-attack or support to front line in area M.29.a and c. According to orders companies were dug in, in and about the wood in M.29.c but heavy enemy shelling forced the evacuation of the wood. Companies then dug in in narrow slots in M.29.a. 2/Lieut J. Fisher was killed and 2/Lieut V du Plergny seriously wounded subsequently dying at the casualty clearing station.

  15 other ranks were killed and wounded Battalion remained in position all day.

  10pm – battalion withdrew to camp at LOCRE M.17.C.2.2
  18th April 1918 – Locre

  8am – Battalion moved to assembly position in M.29 remaining all day without casualties withdrawing to camp at M.17.C.2.2 at 9.30pm
  19th April 1918

  9.0am – Battalion moved to assembly position in M29 remaining all day.

  11.0pm – Battalion relieved by a company of the 81st regiment, 34th French Division. Battalionon relief moved to Reninghelst G.34
  20th April 1918 – Reninghelst

  12.0 noon – Battalion moved by march south to a camp in A30 arriving about 4.30pm
  21st April 1918 – Brandhoek

  9.0am – Battalion moved by march route to HoutKerke and was accommodated in farms at D.6.d.2.7 and D.18.b.2.7.
  21st to 25th April 1918 – Houtkerque

  Training of Lewis gunners and bombers continued. All companies carried out close order drill, box respirator drill, bayonet fighting and musketry daily.
  26th April 1918 – Houtkerque

  3pm – Battalion was ordered to be ready to move at 1/2 hour notice.

  5.30pm – Orders received to entrain at Houtkerque for St Jan Ter Biezen which was duly carried out. The Battalion being accommodated in School Camp in L.3.c (sheet 27)
  27th April 1918 – St Jan-Ter-Biezen

  5.0pm – Battalion moved to relieve the 11th Suffolk Regiment in the E Poperinghe Line and the Duderdom Switch. This was completed at 11.30pm and the battalion disposed as follows (Refs to sheet 28 N.E):-

  E Poperinghe Line

  – Right Company (D Company) – Held from G.32.d.8.0 to G.33.c.3.9 with a platoon in support at G.33.d.8.5, Company HQ G.32.d.8.8

  – Left Company (A Company) held from G.33.c.3.9 to junction with 4th Leicesters at G33.a.2.8 with a platoon in support at G.32.b.9.5

  Ouderdom Switch

  – Right Company (C Company) held from G.33.a.4.2 to G.33.b.2.4

  – Left Company (B Company) held from G.33.b.3.4 to G.34.a.2.9 having the 2/6South Staffords on the left with continuation of the switch.

  Battalion H.Q. Farm at G.32.a.4.7

  Front line in the region of Locre held by the 154th and 39th French Division
  28/4/1918 – Reninghelst

  Enemy artillery was active during the day shelling the Battalion area more or less indiscriminately. A Company was relieved in the E Poperinghe line by the 2/4th Leicester Regiment. Battalion Front is npow Poperinghe line G32.d.8.0 to G.32.a.4.2, switch line as before. A Company moved to Battalion HQ becoming reserve company.
  29/4/1918 – Reninghelst

  3.0am – Heavy bombardment by enemy continued and continued during the morning. Our guns replied. Later infrmation showed that Germans attacked the trench line between the Schanpenbey and Montrouge on our front and penetrated line to about M.17 central. The French line was subsequently restored by counter attack. During the bombardment we suffered a few casualties to Other Ranks.

  A Company moved one platoon to support B Company in Ouderdom Switch, taking up position at G.33.a.5.8. The remainder of B Company became general reserve and occupied trench at G.33.a.8.8.
  30.4.1918 – Renenghelst.

  Dispositions unchanged. Enemy artillery active whole morning.

  6.30pm – French attacked enemy positions – ? Not known.
  It was during the 29th of April 1918 that Private Thomas Chambers died of wounds. He is buried in Ljissenthoek Cemetery. Lijssenthoek was the home of an casualty clearing station. Men who had been wounded in the field would be attended to by First aid post then moved to an advanced dressing station (ver close to the lines) here they would be assessed and either treated locally or sent back to a casualty clearing station. At the casualty clearing station, usually well behind the front line, they would be attended to and prepared to be sent to a general hospital in the rear areas such as Rouen, Wimereau or Etaples before being shipped back to the UK.
  Sadly for Thomas Chambers it is likely that he died of wounds either en route to Lijssenthoek or whilst at the CCS. Wounds we assumed gained that same day either by artillery fire or as we read B company were attached in the switch on the 29th April.

Sources

• WW1 Soldier’s Records (www.ancestry.co.uk)
• British Newspaper Archive.
• Fold 3
• Find My Past
• Genealogist
• Forces War Records
• British Army Service Numbers
• War Gratuity Calculator
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• National Archives – Battalion War Diaries
• General Registry Office