Royal Army Service Corps
George Chalk was born in Chelsea, London in 1892 to William (a farmer) and Jessie Chalk, of Chipstead in Surrey. Although originating from London prior to the Great War he was living in Gloucestershire and was employed as a taxi driver by the Bristol Tramways & Carriage Co Ltd (Cheltenham Branch), also known as the ‘Blue Taxi Co’. His attestation for military service was supported by a reference from his manager which confirmed he had been employed by them for eight months and was considered a ‘steady and competent driver’.
George married Constance Maud Freeman of Apperley, near Tewkesbury at the Deerhurst Parish Church on 13 July 1915 — presumably whilst on a home leave.
At least some of George’s Army Service record has survived and this confirmed that he attested for military service on 11 August 1914, requesting a posting to the Army Service Corps, presumably as a driver in the Motor Section: he had no previous military service. After serving in the UK from
11 August to 22 September 1914, he was posted to France on 23 September and he spent about four and a half years there (apart from the occasional home leave)
Initially he appears to have been attached to the First Army Transport and Supply Column and was promoted to Acting (unpaid) Corporal on 28 August 1916.
He had a two day stay in No 46 Casualty Clearing Station (at Mendinghem, near Ypres) from 1 to 3 December 1916 (reason unknown) and transferred to HQ Company 38 Divisional Train on 16 December 1916. He remained with this unit for the remainder of the war, transferring to the 6th Australian Motor Transport Company on 19 November 1918, remaining on their strength until
1 February 1919.
Like so many, George contracted influenza and was sent back to England, arriving in Lewisham Military Hospital on 2 February, where he died at 19:50 hours, from pneumonia, on 6 February 1919; he was aged 26. He had served in the Army for four years and 179 days and survived the Western Front for most of that time, only to be struck down by illness following the cessation of hostilities.
The Gloucestershire Echo of 14 February 1919 reported his funeral, held with military honours and his former employers, the Blue Taxi Co. sent a wreath. He was buried in the churchyard of Deerhurst (St Mary) Church, where he had been married. A standard CWGC headstone now marks his grave.
Following his death his widow appears to have moved to the London or South East area, giving an address to contact as c/o the Post Office, Hornsey, London N and his medals were sent to her at 154 Gordon Avenue, Upper Wickham Lane, Welling, Kent. In April 1930, at the age of 41, Constance re-married. Her new husband was Charles Willis, himself a widower, twenty-five years her senior.
Researched by Graham Adams 8 March 2017