Pte 31674 John Chisnell

• Age: 26
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• Died Thursday 28th December 1916
• Commemorated at: Berles-au-bois C Y Ext
  Panel Ref: M.2

John was born on the 08th January 1890 one of triplets born to James Chisnell and his wife Mary Jane (nee Jackson) who had married in St Mary's Church in Kirkdale on 24th October 1886. His fellow triplets were his brothers James and Robert. 

Sadly James died when he was only 4 days old and is buried in Walton Park Cemetery. John and Robert were then baptised on 29th January 1890 at St Matthew's Church on Scotland Road. Their parents were living at 19 Taliesin Street at this time.

John's parents were to suffer grievous losses as of 11 children that they had six died young. In addition to young James they also lost Robert the second triplet who died in October 1891, he is buried at Everton Cemetery. Additional losses of Ellen aged 4, Mary Jane, Charles and another Ellen who died in infancy. 

John's surviving siblings were another son named James, May, Margaret and Herbert.

The 1891 census shows the family living at 76 Luther Street, Everton.

John is one year old and lives with his parents and two siblings. His father, James is 25 years of age, he was born in Liverpool and is a paper bag maker, whilst his mother is 24 years of age and was born in Liverpool. John's siblings in the household are Ellen aged 3 and Robert aged one.  

By 1901 the family are living at 41 Candia Street, Kirkdale, Liverpool.

John is now 11 years of age and the eldest child in the household.  He lives with his parents and two siblings. His father is now 35 years of age and a packing case maker, his mother is 34 years of age. His siblings are shown as James aged 4 and May aged 2. Also recorded is a boarder.  

The family are living at the same address in the 1911 Census which finds John now aged 21 and single, working as a porter in a jeweller's shop. Both parents are present in the household and advise that they have been married for 25 years and have had 11 children of whom five have survived. John's siblings are recorded as; James aged 14 and a sawyers apprentice, May aged 12, Margaret Elizabeth aged 9, and Herbert aged 4. Also present are William and Sarah Thomas shown as brother and sister in law, and their children William aged 7 and Eliza aged 2.

John enlisted in Liverpool and serving in the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 31674 when he died on 28th December 1916 aged 26. 

He now lies in Berles -au-Bois Churchyard Ext, France.

The village remained in British hands from the summer of 1915, when it was taken over from French troops, until the end of the War. It suffered at times from severe shelling, which caused the destruction of the original church. However, its replacement was erected 400 metres distant from the original site, leaving the churchyard seperated from the church. The village was 'adopted' after the war by the County of Wolverhampton. Berles-au-Bois Churchyard Extension was begun by French troops, whose graves are in the South corner. It was continued by the 46th North Midland and other Divisions from September 1915, until January 1917, when it was closed. There are now 144 Commonwealth burials of the 1914-18 war, 2 of which are unidentified in this site. Of these, one grave destroyed by shell fire, is represented by a special memorial. The British burials were in many instances made in groups by Brigades. There are also 44 French and 1 German burials of the 1914-1918 war and 8 German burials of the 1939-1945 war here. The Extension covers an area of 1,066 square metres and is enclosed by brick walls.

John's personal belongings were sent to his father at the family home.

Soldiers Effects to father James, pension to mother Mary Jane.

We currently have no further information on John Chisnell, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.