Private 158016 Thomas Chatten

Killed in Action on Wednesday, 18th September 1918, age 25.
Commemorated on Panel 10 of Vis-En-Artois Memorial, Pas De Calais, France.

Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 52nd Battalion. 52nd Division.
Formerly 2651 Royal Fusiliers.

Son of Henry and Jane Chatten, of 14, Churchyard Rd., Tipton, Staffs.
Born: Brierley Hill, Enlisted: Leck ??, Resident: Tipton.

First landed France & Flanders, 7th October 1915.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the Tipton Library Memorial.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1740949/

Genealogical Data

Birth of Thomas Chatten registered March quarter 1894 in Stourbridge. Mother's maiden name was Poutney.

1901 Census
Court 4 House 2, Parkes Street, Brierley Hill, Staffs.
Henry Chatten (28, Boatman, born Knowle), his wife Jane (30, born Stafford), and their 5 children: Sarah Jane (9, born Birmingham), Thomas (7, born Brierley Hill), John (5, born Brierley Hill), Jane (3, born Brierley Hill), and Henry (1, born Brierley Hill).

1911 Census
23 Lockside, Tipton, Staffs.
Henry Chatten (39, Boatman - Steerer, born Warwick), his wife Jane (41, born Brierley Hill), and 6 of their 8 surviving children of 10: John (15, Boatman - Horse Driver, born Brierley Hill), Jane (12, born Brierley Hill), Henry (11, born Brierley Hill), William (9, born Brierley Hill), Joseph (7, born Brierley Hill), and Annie (1, born Brierley Hill).

Personal Data

After Thomas's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £7/12/2d (7 pounds, 12 shillings and 2 pence); this was paid to his mother, Jane, in March 1919. His War Gratuity was £18/10/0d (18 pounds and 10 shillings), this was also paid to his mother in December 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Thomas had enlisted in approximately September 1914.

Thomas's mother, Mrs Jane Chatten, was granted a Dependant's Pension of 7/0d (7 shillings) per week, effective from 8th April 1919. Her address at this time was 14 Churchyard Road, Church Lane, Tipton.

Action resulting in his death

Thomas Chatten initially served in the 12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, belonging to 24th Division. In February 1918, this battalion was disbanded. It is not known when Thomas transferred from the Royal Fusiliers to the 52nd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (52/MGC).

The "100 Days" began on 8th August 1918, a series of large-scale offensives aiming to break the Hindenburg Line and to push beyond. This immensely successful series of action led to ultinate victory on 11th November. 52nd Division were in action to the east of Arras, pushing towards the Canal du Nord, and to Cambrai.

On 1st September, 52/MGC were in action at Bullecourt and in the following days the Canadian Corps were then to be in action against the Drocourt-Queant line. The 52nd Division was to conform to their line of attack, the objectives for this action were gained. After a period out of the line in reserve, 52/MGC relieved 57/MGC to the East of Queant on 16th September.

Moeuvres had been partially captured by 57th Divison on 11th September, but was re-captured by the Germans on the 17th. It was fully captured by 52nd Division on 19th September, the day after Thomas Chaten's death, These actions were to the west of the Canal du Nord which was finally crossed by the Canadian Corps at the end of September.

At 16.45hrs on 18th September, the enemy opened a fierce bombardment on the infantry to which 52/MGC responded by firing on the approaches to the canal. No further enemy action followed. The War Diary for the day reported: "Casualties: 1 Other Rank killed, 2 Other Ranks died of wounds."

Thomas Chatten was killed on this day, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial.

Newspaper Cuttings

Tipton Herald 23 June 1917
RECOVERED FROM THE BOTTOM
Tuesday afternoon a very opportune rescue from drowning in the canal occurred near Donkey Bridge. A young woman had noticed a little girl and boy passing along the canal, and then saw that the boy was missing. She elicited from the tiny girl that the boy was in the canal, and gave the alarm. She saw the hand of a child appear from beneath the surface of the water and then sink. Fortunately the alarm was heard, and a man named Charles Elliot, of 38 Lower Church Lane, jumped into the canal. After searching for a minute or two he found the child lying at the bottom of the water and brought it to the side, but it was apparently dead. P.C. Clowes, who had been attracted to the scene, tried artificial respiration for half an hour, and was eventually successful in restoring animation. The name of the little boy is Horace Chatten, aged 3 years of 14 Churchyard Rd, Church Lane.

Tipton Herald 15 September 1917
TIPTON WOUNDED SOLDIERS
Pte T Chatten, Royal Fusiliers.