Huthwaite WW One Memorial
1914 - 1918 Remembrance
William Henry Chater
Private 9666 - Machine Gun Corps
(Infantry) 3rd Battalion
Died of Wounds 7th Jan 1920 : Aged 47
Huthwaite Cemetery, Grave ref. A.J. 243.
Huthwaite Online WW1 Remembrance
Private 9666 William Henry Chater was born 1873 in Alfreton. His 1907 Q2 Mansfield registered marriage with Miss Elizabeth Ann Shawcroft born 1886 in Skegby, claimed a family home in Pinxton for birth of their two children.
Mr William Henry Chater continued work in coal mining when 1911 Chesterfield census addresses Crompton Street, Holmewood household. Headed by Coal Loader Mr William Henry Chater 38, wife Mrs Elizabeth Ann Chater 25 mothers Alice May Shawcroft 4 and George Robert 2. Their final relocation into Huthwaite presumably soon after, was simply noted from military records.
Private 9666 William Henry Chater served the Great War effort in the Machine Gun Corps 3rd Infantry Battalion. Discharged from duty on 1st June 1918 allowed return to his Huthwaite home, afforded a disability pension. He'd obviously suffered some kind of severe wounding to eventually cause death on 7th January 1920, aged 47. Burial on the 10th January in Huthwaite Cemetery gave Pte Chater fullest military honour, accompanied by a large funeral crowd including many demobilised soldiers and sailors. A CWGC styled gravestone found close by the later erected cenotaph, managed to timely add W. Chater listing.
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.
23 Jul 06 by Gary Elliott Updated 02 Mar 13