CHAMBERS, James Alexander

NAME:                          CHAMBERS               James Alexander                                                                                      RANK:                           Lieutenant                                                                                                                                  DIVISIONAL UNIT:        4th Canadian Infantry Division                                                                                                                                          12th Infantry Brigade                                                                                                                                                         72nd Battalion - Seathforth Highlanders                                                                                                                          Canadian Infantry Corps                                                                                                  SERVICE NO:               129123                                                                                                                  RESIDENCE:                 Vancouver - British Columbia                                                                                                  DATE OF BIRTH:          April 14, 1879 - Townships of McKillop / Tuckersmith - County of Huron - Ontario                    DATE OF DEATH:         September 2, 1918     39 years   4 months                                                                                CEMETERY:                  Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension - Aubigny - en - Artois - Pas de Calais - France                                             IV   E   20                                                                                                                        WIFE:                             Mrs. Maude Chambers - Vancouver - British Columbia                                                            MOTHER:                      Mrs. Rebecca Chambers - Vancouver - British Columbia                                                          Enlistment:  September 10, 1915 - 36 years   4 months - Vancouver - British Columbia into 72nd Battalion                  Personal:     Anglican faith, Height 5' 7", Weight 148 pounds, Dark complexion, Blue eyes and Light brown hair 

     James was employed in the insurance business prior to his enlistment.Following his training of approximately seven months he travelled across Canada to Halifax in preparation for going overseas.                                                     He embarked from Halifax Harbour and Canada on April 23, 1916 on the Empress of Britain and arrived in Liverpool on May 5, 1916. Upon his arrival he was posted to Camp Bramshott - Hampshire and here he did further training. On May 9th he was promoted to Corporal. On August 12th he went overseas to France.  Between August 27 - September 2nd he attended a grenade course.  Between December 2 - 22 he was to attend a course at musketry school in the field. Before that could happen he was hospitalized on November 28th at No. 9 British General Hospital in Rouen. He was suffering from trench foot which is a medical condition that an individual suffers from because of exposure to cold, damp and unsanitary conditions. His feet would have been blistered, the skin would have been blotchy, the skin would have been red and the skin tissue would be dying and falling off. Other symptoms would have been cold feet, heaviness, numbness, pain in the feet if they began to get warm, persistent itching, prickliness and tingling. On December 5th he was evacuated to England and admitted to Northamptonshire Military Hospital - Northampton. On December 23 he was then admitted to Canadian General Hospital Hillingdon House located in Uxbridge - London. He was discharged on December 28, 1916 to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre. On December 30 he was assigned to the Canadian Corp Depot in Hastings.                                                         On March 10, 1917 he was transferred to the 72nd Battalion. On August 8th he is assigned to 1st Canadian Reserve Battalion based at Seaford. He is assigned on August 9th to the 1st Reserve Battalion. On October 5th he transfers to 72nd Battalion and goes overseas into France to the 72nd Battalion Depot. Then on October 11 he is promoted to Lance Sergeant and leaves for 72nd Battalion and arrives at unit in the field.                                                 On January 1, 1918 he left the continent bound for England to be granted a commission. Lance Sergeant is Taken off Service from 72nd Battalion on February 2, 1918 at Seaford and placed on Command at Canadian Training School at Beschill - East Sussex pending a commission. On April 27th he is  assigned to the 1st Canadian Reserve Battalio at Seaford - East Sussex. Then on April 28th he is promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Just over a month later on June 3rd he is Taken on Strength with the 72nd Battalion and a day later disembarks overseas in France and goes to the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Centre. On August 12th he rejoins his unit in the field.                 Very late in August on the 31st reconnoitering parties and advance parties were sent forward during the day. On this day Lieutenant Chambers was acting as a guide for his Company in the village of Cherisey. As they moved through the village he received shell wounds in the abdomen, left leg and lower jaw. He was attended to immediately, taken to the Field Ambulance and then quickly moved to No. 42 British Casualty Clearing Station located at Mingoval.  

 Lieutenant Chambers made a will and named his wife Maude as his beneficiary. His War Service Gratuity for his service in Canada and overseas amounted to $120.00

Virtual War Memorial grave photo.                                                                                                                             /