Rifleman Harold Chennels
| Date of Birth | c. 1893 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 26 |
| Date of Death | 12 May 1919 |
| Service Number | A/201138 |
| Military Service | Kings Royal Rifles |
| Merton Address | |
| Local Memorial | Streatham Park Cemetery |
Additional Information
Nothing is known of Harold’s early life. He possibly grew up in America as his father, Joe, was given as his next of kin on his service record with an address in Rochester, New York.
His service papers are, however, available and give a good outline of his military career.
He Attested on 11 December 1915. He was 5ft 3.5ins tall, with a dark complexion, brown hair and blue eyes. He worked as an Instrument Maker/Storeman and lived in Kennington, London. It was noted that he had a perforated eardrum but his hearing was fair and this was not deemed sufficient to refuse his service. He was put into the Army Reserve on 12 December, aged 26 (?) years and 2 months, mobilised on 1 June 1916 and posted on 15 June 1916,
There seems to be some uncertainty about his age as it is shown variously as 20, 2, 24 and 26 on his service records for when he enlisted.
Harold suffered several bouts of sickness in 1916 due to syphilis and had laryngitis in July 1918. By this time his ears were causing him considerable problems with discharges from both ears and severe deafness. Eventually he was invalided home and discharged on 11 September 1918 due to the deafness and associated problems including a perforated septum and problems with his soft palate which were considered to be aggravated by exposure to active service.
He died on 12 May 1919 and is buried in Streatham Park Cemetery. His grave is cared for by the CWGC.