Selected Biographies

Chisnall, Ernest John – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 1.6.1874.[1]  Parents: John Hosea Chisnall  (Hairdresser) and Emma [née Grice].  Family Connections: Brother to Frederick George Chisnall [b1878].  Home: Hall Street, Long Melford (1881), living with John Chisnall (Grandfather) in Market Place, Clare, Suffolk (1891), Hall Street, Long Melford (1901), 229 Knights Hill, West Norwood, Surrey (1911), 19 Casewick Road, Norwood, Surrey [1919], 69 Rochester Avenue, Feltham, Middlesex (1939) to [1941].  Occupation: Hairdresser (1901 and 1911), Temporary Postman (1939).  Married: Jane ‘Jennie’ Byham in 1899.  Service Record: Ernest is recorded as a member of the Melford Silver Band in 1900.[2]  During the First World War he was attested as Gdmn.20786 with 3^rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards and posted to France from 26.7.1915 as part of 2^nd Guards Brigade, Guards Division.  His battalion saw action during the Somme Offensive of 1916, the Third Battles of Ypres and Cambrai in 1917, and the First and Second Battles of the Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, and the Battle of the Sambre in 1918.[3]  Died: Isleworth, Middlesex on 16.10.1941.[4]

Chisnall, Frederick George – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1878.  Parents: John Hosea Chisnall (Hairdresser) and Emma [née Grice].  Family Connections: Brother to Ernest John Chisnall [b1874].  Home: Hall Street, Long Melford (1881 and 1901), 11 Blomfield Street, Bury St Edmunds (1911), 244 Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire [1932].  Occupation: Tailor (1901 and 1911).  Married: Mary Ann Susan Codling in 1902.  Service Record: Frederick was attested after 1915 as Pte.6613 with 1/4^th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, being posted to France from 31.5.1917.  On 21.6.1917 he transferred as Pte.203024 to 2/5^th Manchester Regiment, as part of 199^th Brigade, 66^th [2^nd East Lancashire] Division, seeing action at the Battle of Poelcappelle in October 1917 and the First Battles of the Somme in March 1918.  Following the disbandment of his battalion he transferred on 21.8.1918 as Pte.GS/83719 to 43^rd [Garrison] Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, returning to England on 9.10.1918.[5]

Notes – [1] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 7.3.1875, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [2] My thanks to Tim Seppings of Sudbury for showing Ernest’s connection to the Melford Silver Band. [3] For details of 3^rd Grenadier’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/1219/1].  See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [4] Date of death from the National Probate Calendar.  [5] Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].