Harry Chandler was born in Fressingfield, Suffolk, on 27th October 1879. In 1911, he was lodging at 6 Prospect Place, Melton, working as a bricklayer for his brother, George Chandler, who ran a building company from Lime Kiln Quay in Woodbridge. (Harry Chandler was the uncle of Percy Chandler who was killed in the war and who is remembered on the Melton War Memorial.)

Harry enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment on 1st December 1915 under the Derby Scheme in which men could join the services but defer being called up until a later date. The men were put into groups based on age and marital status; younger, single men being mobilised earlier than older, married men. Harry would have been in group nineteen, single men born in 1879. He was called up with the rest of the group on 24th March 1916.

On 27th March, Harry was posted to the 10th Suffolks for training at their depot in Felixstowe before being sent to France on 17th July to join the 2nd Suffolks, fighting on the Somme.

On 20th December 1916, Harry was on duty when a rifle was accidentally discharged, hitting him and fracturing his left leg. His wound was so severe that he was taken to the 13th General Hospital in Boulogne and his left leg was amputated below the knee. On Christmas eve, his brother, George, received this telegram informing him of Harry’s condition:

“Mr George Chandler: Melton Hill, Woodbridge Officer Commanding 13 General Hospital Boulogne reports 23rd December 26815 Chandler 2nd Suffolks Gun shot wound left tibia dangerously ill. Regret permission to visit cannot be granted.”

He was transferred to a military hospital in York on the 6th January 1917 for further treatment. On 2nd June 1917, Harry was allowed to go home to Melton while he waited to be admitted to Queen Mary’s Convalescent Hospital in Roehampton for the fitting of an artificial limb. Due to his injuries, Harry was discharged from the services on 14th September 1917; “being no longer physically fit for war service”.

For his war service, Harry received the British War and Victory Medals and the Silver War Badge. He returned to lodge with his pre-war landlady, Elizabeth Fulcher, at 6 Prospect Place. In 1939 Harry was living at 3 Rose Cottages, Melton. He died in 1947.