CHETTLEBURGH, Robert

War
1st World War
Date of Birth
Date Attested
Attested at
London, Ontario
Regimental Number
491245
Rank
Private
Date of Death
Age at Death
34 years 6 months
Cenotaph
Biographical Summary

DIVISIONAL UNIT:        1st Canadian Infantry Division
                                             1st Infantry Brigade
                                             1st Battalion - Western Ontario
                                             The Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   491245
RESIDENCE:                    Wingham – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            April 13, 1884
                                             Norwich – Norfolk Island - England
DATE OF DEATH:           October 6, 1918                   34 years    6 months
CEMETERY:                     Terlincthun British Cemetery – Wimille –
                                             Pas de Calais – France
                                             IV     F     11
WIFE:                                 Mrs. Susan Chettleburgh – Wingham – Ontario
Occupation:                        Labourer                               Religion:     Church of England
Enlistment:                         London – April 6, 1915 into the 33rd Battalion
Enlistment Age:                 30 years     11 months

Private Chettleburgh arrived in Liverpool on the S. S. Lapland on March 26, 1916. He transferred to the 1st Battalion while at West Sandling Camp - Kent on August 24, 1916. He then went overseas shortly after this into France to the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Depot. He then left for the 1st Canadian Entrenching Battalion and joined them on 
September 15, 1916. He then had some medical issues which included tonsillitis and was sent back to England for treatment. On July 13, 1917 he is moved to the 4th Reserve Battalion based at Bramshott – Hampshire. He is back overseas into France on November 18, 1917 and goes to his unit on November 25th.
The weather was fair with showers.
On September 28, 1918 the 1st Battalion was in a support position. The orders were that they should occupy the high ground east of the railway as Command was expecting an enemy counter-attack.  The companies were also resting and re-equipping themselves.
At 06:00 hours the offensive continued with the 4th Canadian Infantry Division passing through and taking the lead with the advance on the 1st Canadian Division front.
At 10.22 hours the 1st Battalion was ordered forward in a support position west of Haynecourt. During the advance forward the Battalion suffered four casualties because of enemy shelling in the sector.
Private Chettleburgh was mortally wounded in the brain while in action and was placed in No. 55 General Hospital located in Boulogne, France where he died of his injuries on October 6, 1918.
The diaries of the 1st Infantry Battalion and the 1st Infantry Brigade plus his service file indicate to us that this is the only time during the day of September 28th where Private Chettleburgh could have received his injuries. In addition, none of his files tell us where he was treated prior to his admittance at No. 55 General Hospital.