Biography of Private Alfred James Chessum (9959)
6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment
Died 9th August 1915

Soldier

  • Name: Alfred James Chessum
  • Date of birth: 1887
  • Place of Birth: Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, England
  • Date of Birth Registration: April – June 1887
  • Place of Birth Registration: Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, England

Father

  • Name: George Chessum
  • DOB: 1866
  • Place of Birth: Dunton, Bedfordshire, England
  • Occupation: Groom gardener (not domestic)

Mother

  • Name: Emma Stanley
  • DOB: 1865
  • Place Of Birth: Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, England
  • Marriage: 5th February 1887 Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, England

Siblings: (Name), (DOB), (POB)

  • Alfred James Chessum, 1887, Biggleswade
  • Kate Chessum, 1889, Biggleswade (twin)
  • Charlotte Chessum, 1889, Biggleswade (twin)
  • Stanley George Chessum, 1892, Pointon
  • William Charles Chessum, 1895, Pointon

Census

  • 1891: Alfred is living with his parents in Pointon, Lincolnshire.
  • 1901: Alfred is living with his parents at 1 West Street, Pointon, Lincolnshire.
  • 1911: Alfred is living with Sallie Hodson at Rauceby, Grantham, Lincolnshire. The census gives him an age of 23 and he is listed as a groom domestic.
Relatives in services

  • None found

Marriage

  • No marriage for Alfred has been found and we can assume that he never had the opportunity to marry.

Newspaper Mentions

  • Grantham Journal Saturday 13th February 1915
    Amongst those serving their King and country from Pointon are two of Mr. and Mrs. Chessum.  One of them, Pte. Alfred Chessum is in the 6th Lincolns, at Belton Park, where he is servant to one of the officers.  When he enlisted he was in the service of Colonel Birch-Reynardson, of Holywell Hall, and this sitiation is being kept open for our local patriot.  Another son, William Charles Chessum, has just been promoted to rank of corporal.  He is atteched to the 8th Battaion Northamptonshire Regiment, now stationed at Penzance. Before the war he was an attendent at Berrywood Avenue Asylum, Northampton.  Twelve men from this institution volunteered their services, and nine were accepted.  Both lads speak highly of the exceptional kindness they have received from their former employers, and also many friends, during the time they have been in training.  It is interesting to mention that a third son of Mr. and Mrs. Chessum, Stanley, also volunteered for service but, much to his disappointment he failed to pass the medical examination, owing to a defective eye.  All honour to him also!  The above photograph ois of Corpl Chessum, with the regiment pet of the 8th Northampton.

 

  • Lincolnshire Echo Tuesday 14th September 1915
    LINCS. REGIMENT CASUALTIES
    The following casualties in the Expeditinary Force are reported under date August 28:
    WOUNDED – 6th LINCOLNS
    Chessum, 9959 Pte. A. J.

 

  • Grantham Journal Staurday 18th September 1915
    6th Lincolns
    The following casualties have occurred amongst the 6th Lincolns serving in Gallipoli:-
    Chessum 9959 A. J.

 

  • Lincolnshire Echo Wednesday 23rd August 1916
    Mr. and Mrs. Chessum, of Pointon, near Billingborough, have received an official communication stating that their son, Private A. Chessum, of the 6th Lincolns, who has been missing since Aug. 9th last year while fighting at Suvla Bay, must now be regarded as dead.  Another son, Corporal W, Chessum (6th Northamptons), who took park in the recent advance, was severely wounded in the head, but, happily, he has gone on well since he has been in hospital, and he is now approaching convalescence.

Military Records

Attestation Papers

  • Available

Soldier’s Died In The Great War

  • These records show that Private Alfred James Chessum, 9959, 6th Bn Lincolnshire Regiment was killed in action on 9th August 1915 in the Balkan Theatre.

Pension Records

  • None found

Effects Left To

  • Father George

Medals

  • The British Medal
    The Victory Medal
    The 15 Star

Memorials

  • UK:
  • Sempringham, Roll of Honour in St Andrew’s Abbey

 

  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
  • In memory of Private Alfred James Chessum, 9959, 6th Bn., Lincolnshire Regiment who died on 9 August 1915 Age 27
  • Son of Mr. G. and Mes. C. Chessum, of Pointon, Billingborough, Lincs.
  • Remembered with honour, Helles Memorial

© The War Graves Photographic Project

© The War Graves Photographic Project

Military Service Timeline

  • Enlisted in Stamford, Lincolnshire 18th August 1914
  • Posted to the 6th Lincolns 30th August 1914
  • Reported wounded or missing on the 9th August 1915 in the Dardanelles on the 14th August 1915
  • Official regerded as having died 12th August 1916

 

  • This is ongoing research and will be posted when completed

Sources

  • WW1 Soldier’s Records (www.ancestry.co.uk)
  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  • British Newspaper Archive.