The Chalcraft Page

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The postcard, top left, shows The Square at Sundridge, Kent in approx. 1942.  The figure at the Bus Shelter is Frederick Chalcraft, (1863-1949), one of the sons of  Henry John Chalcraft and Ann (née Cole).  Many thanks to his Grand-daughter, Mary, for the postcard image. Sundridge is at the extreme West of Kent, (see map), between Sevenoaks and Westerham.  John Edward Chalcraft was born at Dartford.  His son Henry John was born at Hawley and Christened at nearby Sutton at Hone, but married Ann Cole from Brasted in 1850, after which I imagine the family's connection with Sundridge began.

I was able to look up Harry John Chalcraft's War Service record. His address at attestation was No.10 Sunbeam(?) Villas, Staines Road, Sunbury, Middlesex, (It was later 28 Somerset Road Teddington).   He joined the Army Service Corps as a Farrier on 9 Nov 1914.  (Previously in 4th Battalion R.W.Kent (Territorial).  This was when he was 24 yrs 1 month, he was 5 ft 9" tall, weighed 147 lbs., had a pale complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair.  His A.S.C. Regimental Number was TS/4270. He left England by the SS Pantonia from Southampton to Le Havre on 8 Dec 1914 and he served in France as a Shoeing Smith until he left with the cadre of HQ 1 Bg Mf Dde, embarked at Antwerp 13 Jun 1919.  (Leave to England during this time was 16-23 Dec 1915, 20-30 June 1917, 7-21 Feb 1918 and 9-23 Dec 1918). He became a Reserve on his demob at Woolwich Arsenal on 13 July 1919, going home to 178 Church Road Teddington.  Medals:  1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. He died of Peritonitis following a Burst Appendix c.1934.

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Last modified:  20th November 2008