James Chaney
Memorial: Pilning
Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force
Medals: 1914–15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Rank and number: Private 10110
Parents: George and Hester Chaney
Home address: 16 Ableton Lane, Pilning, Bristol
Pre-war occupation: Miner
Date of birth: 1893
Place of birth: Pilning, Bristol
Date of death: 31/10/1918
Buried/Commemorated at: Hamburg Cemetery (VI. D. 8.)
Age: 25
Further information:
James Chaney known as 'Jim' was born in 1893 in Pilning, he was the fifth child of George and Hester Chaney. His parents were both born in Bristol. George was a plate layer for the railway. The family lived at 16 Ableton Lane, Pilning. In the 1901 census the family consisted of George (father), Edward (21) also a plate layer with the railway, born in Bristol. Alice (14) born in Pensford, Somerset, Samuel (12), Nellie (10), James (8) and Florence (5), all born in Pilning
In 1911 James was boarding with Henry Holmes, a widower, at Oak Street, Cwmbran, in the district of Llantarnam, Monmouthshire. James Chaney, then 17 years old, was a miner. It is possible that James left his family home following the death of his mother and remarriage of his father. He did not stay in Cwmbran for long but moved across the ocean to Canada
James Chaney enlisted at Valcartier in Quebec on 22nd September 1914. James’ Battalion was created on 2nd September 1914 with recruits from Toronto, primarily from Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada with additional drafts from 10th Royal Grenadiers and the Governor General’s Body Guard. Preliminary training took place at Valcartier, the largest military camp ever to be seen on Canadian soil. The Battalion sailed from Quebec City on board the SS Tunisian on 25th September, arriving in England on 16th October with 42 officers and 1123 men. The Battalion became part of the 1st Canadian Division, 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade and saw action at Ypres (first use of gas by the Germans), Vimy Ridge and along the Western Front. 286 soldiers of the 3rd Battalion were taken prisoner during the war, all but 21, during the 2nd Battle of Ypres during April and May 1915. James was one of these Prisoners of War
There were several Hospitals dealing with sick prisoners in the area of the Hamburg Camp. James died of dysentery aged 25 years and was buried on 31st October 1918 at Hamburg Cemetery
By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):
Publication: Village Heroes. Pilning and Severn Beach History Group. Nancy Vowles and Val George researched and put together the information. Forces War Records and CWGC