Joshua Thomas Chetwode (Chetwood) was born in 1892 at St Martin’s (his birth is also recorded as Pant). His parents were Joshua and Mary Chetwode. His father had various jobs – working as a carter on a team of agricultural horses, as a steam fireman and a quarryman. Joshua’s siblings were Sarah, John, Alice and Florence. In 1901 they lived at Upper House, Llanymynech, and would later move to Holly Cottage at Porthywaen and, by the war, at 2 Vyrnwy Terrace, Morda. Joshua worked as a wagoner on a farm.

Joshua enlisted at Oswestry joining the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, at first in 8 Bn KSLI and then served with the battalion in Salonika. He would later serve in 2 Bn and then in 1 Bn KSLI. It is probable that he had been wounded at Salonika, had been evacuated to England and was then re-posted. Joshua died of wounds on 15 October 1918. Between the 10-16 October the 1 Bn KSLI was in the reserve lines resting and reequipping. It is probable that he had been wounded between the 8-9 October when the battalion was engaged in action to the north of St Quentin near to Fresnoy during the Battle for Cambrai. Joshua probably died at a CCS at Bihecourt. is buried in the nearby Vadencourt British Cemetery, Maissemy. His headstone reads ‘Though death divides fond memory clings’. He is also commemorated on St Oswald’s Church War Memorial, Oswestry.

BROTHER. Private 24963 John E Chetwode, 1 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. KIA 17 April 1917, Dud Corner Cemetery, Loos.

Acknowledgements.

References and Sources

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