HAROLD STANLEY CHANDLER
Born: 1890, St. Margaret’s, Ipswich.
Died: 26th September 1917; age 27; KiA in the Battle of Polygon Wood.
Father advised by letter – 22nd November 1917.
Place of Association: Lakerid PO, Kalgoorlie, Australia.
Occupation: Loco Fireman & Engine Cleaner.
Enlistment Details: Location: Blackboy Hill, Western Australia; Date: 25th January 1916; Age: 25 years & 9 months; Religion: CofE. Signed up for war & 4 months. Height: 5ft 6 ins, fair complexion, blue eyes & reddish hair. 2 scars from appendices operation on abdomen.
Embarked – Adelaide – 13th July 1916 – HMAT Seang Bee A48. Disembarked – Plymouth – 9th September 1916. Transferred to 1st A.D.H. Bulford, England. 5th April 1917 – Proceeding overseas – France. 14th April 1917 – Etaples – 21st April 1917 – in the field – Etaples.
Offence: Absenting himself without leave in that he at Military Hospital Bulford, absented himself without leave from mn 14th march 1917 until 12 noon, 15th March 1917 – Admonished by Lt Col. Smith & forfeits 1 day’s pay.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 14656
Regiment: Australian Imperial Force, Australian Army Medical Corps, 13th Field Ambulance – May Reinforcements.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & Star.
Grave Reference:
II.A.9.
West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Henry & Susannah, of 39, Priory Street, Ipswich.
Brother to CHRISTOPHER CHANDLER.
CENSUS
1891 25, Upper Orwell Street, Ipswich, next to St. Michael’s Church.
Harold was a year old and living with his parents & siblings
Henry Chandler, 40, a Night Soilman, born St. Margaret’s, Ipswich.
Susannah Chandler (nee Wright), 41, born Nayland, Suffolk.
Mary Jane Chandler, 18, a Stay Worker, born St. Mary at the Quay, Ipswich.
Henry James Chandler, 16, a Foundry Labourer, born St. Margaret’s, Ipswich.
Arthur John Chandler, 14, a Labourer – Sanitary Authority, born St. Margaret’s, Ipswich.
Christopher Chandler, 13, born St. Margaret’s, Ipswich.
Ernest Herbert Chandler, 11, born St. Margaret’s, Ipswich.
Amos George Chandler, 9, born St. Margaret’s, Ipswich.
Oliver Thomas Chandler, 8, born St. Clement’s, Ipswich.
Beatrice Maud Chandler, 6, born St. Clement’s, Ipswich.
Frank William Chandler, 3, born St. Clement’s, Ipswich.
1901 Daisyfield Cottages, 415, Bramford Road, Ipswich.
Harold was 12 years old and living with his parents & brother.
Henry, 51, a Woodman.
Susannah, 51.
Amos, 22, a Woodman.
Mr Henry Chandler received his late son’s effects:
Safety razor in purse, purse, wallet, photos, spirit flask, letters’ disc & birth certificate.
Harold is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Nicholas Church, Ipswich.
The Battle of Polygon Wood took place during the second phase of the Third Battle of Ypres in World War I. It was fought near Ypres in Belgium 26 September – 3 October 1917, from the Menin Road to Polygon Wood and thence north, to the area beyond St Julien. Much of the woodland had been destroyed by the huge quantity of shellfire from both sides since 16 July, and the area had changed hands several times
The British had 15,375 casualties; 1,215 were killed. German official historians recorded 13,500 casualties from 21–30 September
The 4th Australian Division suffered 1,717 casualties, and the 5th Australian Division had 5,471 dead and wounded from 26–28 September.
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