Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Thiepval Memorial, Picardie | Pier and Face 10 A and 10 D. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.119 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 45A GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | British War Medal Victory Medal | ||
Family :
According to his great-niece and the 1911 census, George was born c.1882 on the island of St Helena, the strategic Atlantic outpost off West Africa and not as some genealogical indexes might have one believe to be the conurbation of St. Helens, West Lancashire. He was son of Major George Martin Chimes, Royal Engineers, and Rosa Bella Tait Chimes, of various garrisoned abodes and later of Gordon House, Bierton Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.Whilst accompanying the family and posted around the British Empire his path is traced by the birth of his siblings: Rosa Jane (b.1885, Chatham, UK), Olive Maud, (b.1887, Stretford, UK), Elsie Victoria (b.1890, Gibraltar), Robert John (b.1894, Gibraltar), Martin (b.1897, Limerick, Ireland), Arthur Patrick (b.1899, Limerick, Ireland), Ethel May (b.1901 Windsor, UK) and Patricia Eileen (b.1910, Warwick). During this time, George was educated in the skills of carpentry. In 1911, he is recorded as a carpenter and joiner, and had left the family home, moving to Chesham and living as a boarder at 273, Hivings Hill in the household of Mr. & Mrs. Haddock, located in the Newtown district of Chesham.
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 6/Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry |
| Action : The Battles of the Somme 1916 |
The Battle of the Somme 1st July - 18th November 1916 is inevitably characterised by the appalling casualties (60,000) on the first day, July 1st 1916. Having failed to break through the German lines in force, and also failed to maximise opportunities where success was achieved, the battle became a series of attritional assaults on well defended defence in depth. The battle continued officially until 18th November 1916 costing almost 500,000 British casualties. German casualties were about the same, and French about 200,000. The Somme could not be counted a success in terms of ground gained or the cost, but it had a strategic impact as it marked the start of the decline of the German Army. Never again would it be as effective whilst the British Army, learning from its experience eventually grew stronger to become a war winning army. The German High Command recognised that it could never again fight another Somme, a view that advanced the decision to invoke unrestricted submarine warfare in an attempt to starve Britain of food and material, and in doing so accelerated the United States declaration of war thus guaranteeing the eventual outcome. 287 Brethren were killed on the Somme in 1916.
Detail :
33034, Corporal George D.W.J. Chimes, 6th Battalion, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Killed in action on Saturday, 7th October, 1916 in France & Flanders. Age 34. He was formerly posted as Service No. 1985, 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion and the 4th Reserve Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. His service number became 33034 as he joined the 5th Battalion, Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, eventually transferring to the 6th.
His father received his war gratuity and effects. For his service in the Great War he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
He has no known grave and is therefore commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier & Face 10A /10D. He is further commemorated by Royal British Legion's war memorial website and is listed on the Chesham War Memorial.
His brother, Martin enlisted in 1916 and joined the Royal Engineers.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | An Irish Lodge No. 0 I.C. | Irish Constitution |
| Joined : | Bowen No. 2816 E.C. | Buckinghamshire |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
10th January 1907 | 24th December 1907 | 2nd January 1908 |
His father was a member of member of Harmony Lodge No. 555, Irish Constitution located in Fermoy, Cork, Ireland joining in 1904 having been previously been a member of Triune Lodge 333 I.C, Limerick (no record yet found). He, no doubt introduced his son into Freemasonry noting George was initiated 10th January, 1907 by dispensation and had received his Grand Lodge Certificate on the 11th February, 1908. He is listed as a Master Carpenter by trade.
George is then listed against the roll of Bowen Lodge No. 2816 when he joined 16th November, 1911. He received a Grand Lodge Certificate for the United Grand Lodge of England on the 15th April, 1912. At the time, he is noted to be a Foreman Joiner and resident at Chesham, Buckinghamshire. The contribution record shows that he was engaged in War Service and that he "Died March 15, 1917," a date at odds with the official record.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley