Collett Chamberlain

Paul R Hughes

Private 28379, 3rd Battalion, London Regiment Private 566263, Labour Corps

Born: 2 March 1894 

Enlisted: 25 October 1915 

Discharged: 23 February 1919 

Died: 19 July 1969

Collett was the younger son of William Collett and Blanche Chamberlain of High Street, Campden. He was born in Stow-on-the-Wold in 1894 and was baptised at St. James’s Church in Campden on 3 February 1904 at the same time as his brother Walford. His father was a native of Stow-on-the-Wold and was a printer and stationer by trade. His mother, Blanche, died at the age of 29 in 1896.

Collett was educated in Campden and both he and his elder brother went to the Grammar School.

On 25 October 1915 Collett enlisted in the 3rd Battalion, London Regiment as a private. The battalion was raised in London and he was with it when he first went to France. His medal index card indicates that he did not arrive in a theatre of war until after the start of 1916.

Under the headline “Campden Soldier Illthe Evesham Journal reported in 1917: “Information has been received by Mr. W. C. Chamberlain, to the effect that his son, Pte. C. Chamberlain, London Regiment, is lying at 26th General Hospital, Etaples, suffering from pleurisy. Pte. Chamberlain has been wounded once before.” He also had a spell in hospital with trench fever.

After returning to England to recover Collett was transferred to the Labour Corps. He continued to serve with them until he was discharged owing to “sicknesson 23 February 1919 and despite the fact that the war had been over for three months he was issued with a Silver War Badge to indicate that he had made his contribution to the war effort.

Collett died on 19 July 1969 aged 75 years. 

This page was added on 11/03/2014.

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