Main CPGW Record
Surname: CHESTER
Forename(s): Thomas Wilfred
Place of Birth: Gargrave, Yorkshire
Service No: 24009
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 8th (Service) Battalion
Division: 11th (Northern) Division
Age: 22
Date of Death: 1917-01-17
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 6 A and 6 B.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: GARGRAVE, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Thomas Wilfred Chester (born 19 October 1895) was the son of William and Emma Chester, née Battison. William was born at Skipton and Emma at Barmston, Yorkshire. Thomas was related to Private Walter Chester (27458) (q.v.).
1901 Gargrave, Yorkshire Census: Mill Hill - Thomas W. Chester, aged 5 years, born Gargrave, son of William and Emma Chester.
1911 Gargrave, Yorkshire Census: Mill Hill - Wilfred Thomas Chester, aged 15 years, born Gargrave, son of William Chester, widower.
The British Army Service Record for Thomas Wilfred Chester exists but may be incomplete.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Thomas W. Chester, 24009, W. Rid. R. D. of Wds 18[sic].1.17.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Thomas Wilfred Chester, 24009, 1/7 W. Rid. R.; 8 W. Rid. R. D. of W. 18[sic].1.17.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Thomas Wilfred Chester, 24009, 8th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: On or since 17.1.17. Death pres'd. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - William. £2 0s. 1d. Payee deceased. Cancelled 21.5.18. Date of Authority: 21.5.18. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Messrs Joseph Roberts and Sons. £2 0s. 1d. (Undertakers). War Gratuity: Sister - Lilian. £7 0s. 0d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Thomas. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mr William Chester. Relationship to soldier: Father. Address: Mill Hill, Gargrave, Leeds. Claiment [sic] Dead.
Thomas is commemorated on the Midland Railway War Memorial at Derby.
A short biography of Thomas is included in: ‘From Mills to Marching and Back Again – A History of Gargrave from 1900 to 1925’ by Sue Lyall and Donavon Slaven with contributions from George Ingle, Ray Jones and Martin Thompson (2019).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
CHESTER, Wilfred, aged 23, West Riding Regiment, Mill Hill, [Gargrave], killed in action.
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Private Thomas Wilfred CHESTER
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 11th (Northern) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
18 January 1918
CHESTER - Reported missing a year ago, and death now officially presumed in France, Pte. Wilfred Chester, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, son of Mr. Wm. Chester, Mill Hill, Gargrave, aged 22 years.
18 January 1918
GARGRAVE - REPORTED 'MISSING,' NOW DEAD
Official news reached Mr. William Chester, Mill Hill, Gargrave, last Thursday, that his son Wilfred, aged 22, who was reported missing nearly twelve months ago, is now considered as dead. When reported as missing he had been escorting an officer to a rear position after an engagement, and started back on his return journey. He was never seen afterwards. He joined the Duke of Wellington's Regiment on June 18th 1915, and was a camp despatch runner. Prior to enlisting he was assistant clerk in the Gargrave Canal office, and afterwards in the Midland Railway district collector's office at Skipton. We give his photo above.
The Rev. A. C. Blunt, vicar, made fitting reference to the sad event at the close of his sermon last Sunday night, voicing the great sympathy that is felt for the family; and Mr. Burlend played the Dead March in 'Saul', the congregation standing meanwhile. He was a member of the local Rechabite Tent.
22 March 1918
GARGRAVE - Death of Mr. W. Chester
The death of this old resident from haemorrhage of the brain took place somewhat unexpectedly last Friday night at his residence, Mill Hill, at the age of 72 years. A good and conscientious workman, he came to Gargrave as a cabinet maker into the employ of the late Mr. Rudolph Franzee, North street, some 50 years ago, where he worked two or three years, since when he has worked for Messrs. Joseph Roberts and Son, Church Street, until incapacitated a short time ago. He was a native of Skipton, and twice married, both wives having predeceased him. The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon in the Parish Churchyard.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
18 January 1918
CHESTER - Reported missing, now presumed killed, Pte. Wilfred Chester, of the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. Wm. Chester, of Mill Hill, Gargrave, aged 22.
18 January 1918
GARGRAVE
REPORTED MISSING, NOW DEAD
Official news reached Mr. Wm. Chester, Mill Hill, Gargrave, last Thursday, that his son, Wilfred, aged 22, who was reported missing nearly twelve months ago, is now considered as dead. When reported as missing he had been escorting an officer to a rear position after an engagement, and had started back on his return journey, never having been seen afterwards. He joined the Duke of Wellington's Regiment on June 18th, 1915, and was a camp dispatch runner. Prior to enlisting he was assistant clerk in the Gargrave Canal Office, and afterwards in the Midland Railway District Collector's office at Skipton. Rev. A.C. Blunt (vicar) made fitting reference to the sad event at the close of his sermon last Sunday night, voicing the sympathy that is felt for the family. Mr. Burlend played the 'Dead march' in 'Saul,' the congregation standing meanwhile. He was a member of the local Rechabite Tent.
22 March 1918
GARGRAVE
DEATH MR. W. CHESTER
The death of this old resident from haemorrhage on the brain took place somewhat unexpectedly last Friday night at his residence, Mill Hill, at the age of 72 years. A good and conscientious workman, he came to Gargrave as a cabinet maker into the employ of the late Mr. Rudolph Franzee, North Street, some 50 years ago, where he worked two or three years, since when he has worked for Messrs. Joseph Roberts and Son, Church Street, until incapacitated a short time ago. He was a native of Skipton and twice married, both wives having predeceased him. The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon in the Parish Churchyard.
[Father of Pte. Thomas Wilfred Chester.]
22 March 1918
CHESTER - March 15th, William Chester, Mill Hill, Gargrave, in his 73rd year.
[Father of Pte. Thomas Wilfred Chester.]
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