Pte
Thomas Charles Chandler

Information about birth

Year of birth:
1893
Place of birth:
Saint Martin, Guernsey, Channel Islands

General information

Profession:
Gardener

Army information

Country:
Channel Islands
Force:
British Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
419
Enlistment place:
Guernsey, Channel Islands
Units:
 —  Royal Guernsey Light Infantry, 1st Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
28/03/1918
Place of death:
Vindictive Cross Roads, Passchendaele, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
25

Memorial

Tyne Cot Memorial
Panel: 161A

Distinctions and medals 2

British War Medal
Medal — 15/12/1919
Victory Medal
Medal — 15/12/1919

Points of interest 3

#1 Place of birth
#2 Enlistment place
#3 Place of death (approximate)

My story

Private Thomas Charles Chandler served in “D” Company, 1st Battalion Royal Guernsey Light Infantry, part of the 86th Brigade, of the 29th Division.

The Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele, officially took place from the 31st of July 1917 till the 10th of November 1917. Although the offensive came to an end in late 1917 the violence raged on. Several minor attacks took place in the sector and shelling on both sides remained persistent.

In January 1918 The Royal Guernsey Light Infantry 1st Battalion moved from Northern France to Flanders. Throughout the following two months the Battalion started working in the frontlines, mostly maintaining, digging and wiring trenches. On the 27th of March 1918 the 1st Royal Guernsey Light Infantry moved up for a tour in the frontline. They relieved the 1st Lancashire Fusiliers in the left sector of the 86th Brigade Front. The Battalion’s Headquarters and aid post were situated at Bellevue, while the Battalion’s companies took up positions at Vindictive Crossroads, to the north of the village of Passchendaele. During the relief in the night of the 27th and 28th March 1918 the 86th Brigade suffered a total of twelve casualties. Six men were killed and six other ranks were wounded.

One of the men who was killed in action during the relief at Vindictive Crossroads was Private Thomas Charles Chandler. He has no known grave and is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Files 1

Sources 5

Ancestry
http://home.ancestry.co.uk/
Further reference
CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1628470/chandler,-thomas-charles/
Sources used
The Long, Long Trail
http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/
Sources used
War Diary HQ 86th Bde.
Sources used
War Diary Royal Guernsey Light Infantry, 1st Bn.
http://www.nmarchive.com/
Further reference