Jack (as he was known) came from Lancing in Sussex where he had been born in 1895. His parents, Arthur and Lily Esther Chalcraft, must have arrived in Chawton by October 1913 when five of their children started school here. Jack himself was a labourer employed by Mr W P Tuckett of Pound Farm although his parents were at Southfield Farm - both in the village.

Joining the Army in 1916, Jack became 203521 Private Chalcraft - first in the 1/4th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment before being transferred to the 1/8th Battalion (Isle of Wight Rifles).

By the autumn of 1917, Jack was in Gaza, Palestine. The defences of Gaza had been bombarded from 27th October with an attack following on 1st November. The next day the regiment advanced and Jack, aged 22, was killed in action.

By October 1919, Jack’s parents had left Chawton and were living at Rookery Cottage, Buckland Road, Lower Kingswood, Reigate. He was awarded the British War and Victory Medals. Rifleman Arthur Henry John Chalcraft was buried in the Gaza War Cemetery - Plot XXI. B. 5.

Source: “The Remembered Ones of the Great War”, 2014, The Alton and Villages Local History Forum (with permission)