Military History

Chatfield enlisted in the Artillery and was sent to Maribyrnong Victoria with the 8th Field Battery for further training.
Embarked Melbourne per HMAT ‘Medic’ 25.5.1916.
Roll Rank Gunner.
Roll Unit 8th Battery 3rd Field Artillery Brigade.
Chatfield disembarked at Plymouth with the 8th Battery Field Artillery 8.7.1916. He was hospitalised for a month at Keilly 14.8.1916 and rejoined his unit 3.9.1916. He continued with intensive training for a further 3 months, before embarking with his Battery for France 30.12.1916. He fought in the harsh winter of 1916-17 on the Somme. Chatfield was wounded in action at Flanders with a gunshot wound to his left arm 1.6.1917. He was transferred to the 3rd Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne 7.6.1917. He rested at the 19th Convalescent Depot 18.6.1917. Chatfield transferred to the 3rd Division  Ammunition Column 27.7.1917 as Gunner. Chatfield was promoted to Temporary Corporal 21.5.1917. He fought in the Third Battle of Ypres until he was hospitalized with urticaria 5.9.1917. On discharge from hospital he rejoined his unit 10.9.1917 and was then detached to the Anti Aircraft School for three months from 27.12.1917. He rejoined the 8th Battery 12.3.1918 and was promoted to Bombardier 24.4.1918.
Chatfield was diagnosed with Middle Ear problems on 11.9.1918 and 26.10.1918. He was Invalided from France to England and listed for early return to Australia.
Embarked for Australia per ‘Somali’ 10.12.1918.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 21.1.1919.
Discharged 21.3.1919.
Final Rank Bombardier, 3rd Battery 8th Field Artillery.
Medical Condition Invalided with ear problems.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos  Artillery Training at Maribyrnong, Vic. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM H18765
            HMAT 'Medic' 1914. Photographer Hood, Samuel J. Photograph source AWM H19319
               DAC in Flanders, Belgium 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E02018
              Artillery Limbers loaded with duckboards,Ypres 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E0098

Information Source
AWM H18765. Artillery Training at Maribyrnong, Vic. Photographer unknown, photograph source  from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H19319. HMAT 'Medic' 1914. Photographer Hood, Samuel J. Photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australain War Memorial
AWM E02018.  DAC in Flanders, Belgium 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E0098. Artillery Limbers loaded with duckboards,Ypres 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- Horace Richard Chatfield
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Chatfield H R


Caversham near Guildford, WA.

Associated Images