Private Thomas Chambers
Chambers in 1972
Thomas Chambers was born on 21 April 1895 at Ballyvally, Banbridge, County Down, the fourth of ten children of labourer (later car driver) Thomas Chambers and his wife Jessie (née Kidd). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living in Dromore Street, Banbridge, with his parents and eight surviving siblings and working as a weaver.
Chambers enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 31 August 1914 (No.1065 – later Corps of Hussars No.71219). On 1 May 1915 he embarked for France with D Squadron, which at the time was serving as divisional cavalry to the 51st Division.
In May 1916 A Squadron came together with D and E Squadrons to form the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to VII, XIX, then V Corps until February-March 1918, when the regiment was dismounted and converted to a cyclist unit. This meant a 25 per cent reduction in the regiment's numbers, and it is likely that this was the time that Chambers was transferred to the 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars.
Chambers served with the 8th Hussars in Germany in the months after the Armistice. On 1 August 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve. (Some records state 1 May 1919.)
After the war Chambers emigrated to Canada. He married Frances Elizabeth Young in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on 14 May 1927. He died there on 5 April 1982.
Chambers' older brother William David Chambers also served in the war in the North Irish Horse.
Banbridge Bible & Crown Defenders LOL 423 Roll of Honour
First and third mages sourced from Ancestry.com Public Member Trees - contributor Jennifer St-Croix. Second image kindly provided by Tommy McClimonds.