Labour Corps
It has proved difficult to ascertain accurate information about Thomas Chamberlain. The National Archives holds a Medal Index Card for him, and this states that he originally served as a Gunner (number 86119) in the Royal Field Artillery, a fact confirmed in the CWGC Register. The card also states that he went to France on 15 January 1915, which indicates either he was a very early recruit or was serving in the Army prior to the war.
Unfortunately, no Army Service Record has survived to indicate when transfer to the Labour Corps took place: usually this was the result of an individual being declared unfit for front line service, due to injury or sickness. The record would have also given detail of next of kin, to assist with building details of family etc, which again has proved difficult to ascertain with certainty.
The recently released Pension Record Cards have provided some useful information which states that Thomas born in 1876, was married and lived at Lower Sewell, Stow-on-the-Wold and was discharged from the army on 2 March 1919, due to myalgia (muscle pain), attributable to war service. However, his claim for a pension appears to have been rejected.
Thomas is buried in Gloucester Old Cemetery, where a standard Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone marks his grave. The inscription states that he was a Bombardier (number 86119) with the Royal Field Artillery, yet the CWGC Register has him a member of the Labour Corps, noting former service with the RFA.
Researched by Graham Adams 6th June 2019