Pvt Henry Theodore Chesterman in the Great War

STRETCHER BEARER

“Write to mother – I would like to have seen my people again – I believe Jesus Christ died for me.”

SON OF MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM T. & ELIZABETH CHESTERMAN, OF “GLEN AVON,” BLOOMFIELD RD., BATH.

The CWGC headstone of Pvt Henry Theodore Chesterman bears the rank of Stretcher Bearer, rather than Private. Henry a member of No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance and had volunteered as a stretcher bearer attached to 5th Canadian Machine Gun Company.

Stretcher bearers came from not only the CAMC, but also from within other units in the CEF. Hundreds would give their lives while saving their comrades, and their foe. Henry’s headstone one of very few to bear the inscription of STRETCHER BEARER.

Enlistment of Private Henry Theodore Chesterman

Henry born 25 January 1891 in Bath Somersetshire, England. A Surveyor, he enlisted with the 2nd Canadian Contingent on 10 November 1914 in Winnipeg with the CAMC. Henry a tall handsome man, standing nearly 6′ 2″ with fair complexion, blue eyes and dark hair.

In England since April 1915, Pvt Henry Theodore Chesterman travels overseas in September 1915.

France

Private Henry Theodore Chesterman landed in France on 14 September 1915 with the 4th Field Amb., Canadian Army Medical Corps.

No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance

No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance organized at Valcartier in September 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W. Webster. Authorization published in General Order 36 of 15 March 1915. Mobilized at Winnipeg. Recruited in Military District No. 10. Left Halifax 18 April 1915 aboard NORTHLAND. Arrived in England 29 April 1915. Strength: 12 Officers, 277 other ranks. Arrived in France 14 September 1915. 2nd Canadian Division.

Pvt Henry Theodore Chesterman reposted to 5th Canadian Machine Gun Company on 29 January 1916.

5th Canadian Machine Gun Company

5th Canadian Machine Gun Company organized in Belgium in December 1915 as the 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade Machine Gun Company. Commanded by Lieutenant S.W. Watson. Composed of machine gun sections of the 5th Brigade’s infantry battalions.

Redesignated as 5th Canadian Machine Gun Company in July 1916. The 4th, 5th, 6th and 14th Canadian Machine Gun Companies detached from their respective infantry brigades in September 1917 and formed the 4th, 5th, 6th and 14th Companies of the 2nd Canadian Divisional Machine Gun Battalion.

On 10 August 1916, Pvt Henry Theodore Chesterman (absent from roll call for two consecutive nights) forfeits two days pay.

Death Has No Sting

In Henry’s last letter home before he was wounded, he had told his mother that death has no sting.

Private Henry Theodore Chesterman evacuated wounded on 7 October 1916. A piece of shrapnel passed under his right shoulder through his chest, carrying along pieces of muddy clothing. It would be the mud of the Somme responsible for his death a week later.

Following treatment on the battlefield for his wound by his comrades, Henry walked back under his own strength for two miles before his reached No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance.

With a GSW to his back, his original unit, No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance transported Henry to No. 1 Australian General Hospital, Rouen, 9 October 1916.

No. 1 Australian General Hospital, Rouen

Henry’s brother Philip, engaged in Red Cross Work at Dunkirk, able to visit Henry on Saturday, 14 October 1916. The O.C. had reported the patient well enough to be visited. Philip found Henry fully conscious, and not in much pain. That evening however, Henry became rapidly weaker and succumbed to sepsis the following morning at 10:15 am., 15 October 1916.

Philip was picking his mother up at the train, and they arrived back at the hospital half an hour following Henry’s death. Chaplain Grayson and Sister McClelland related Henry’s last words. “Write to mother – I would like to have seen my people again – I believe Jesus Christ died for me”. Chaplain Grayson asked if he had any trouble or weight on his mind of any kind, to which Henry replied:

“No – nothing – only for Mother.”

Private Henry Theodore Chesterman died 15 October 1916 and buried B. 16. 12. ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN.

St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen

Henry buried on Tuesday afternoon, his parents and brother Philip in attendance as six comrades lay his coffin to rest in St. Sever Cemetery.

Before he died, Henry had asked Chaplain Grayson to recite passages from 1 Corinthians XV. The Chaplain hesitated, connecting it with the Burial Service, and had read instead 2 Corinthians V, focusing on eternal life.

For the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible. – 1 Corinthians XV, 50

Thanks be unto God who giveth us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians XV, 57

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