WILLIAM HENRY CHATFIELD
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Image courtesy of Colin Chatfield.
Born: 17th March 1911, Ipswich.
Died: 22nd December 1943; age: 32; died of Indigestion/Dysentery at Kanchanaburi Hospital as a Japanese POW on the Thailand/Burma Railway.
Residence: 22, Coniston Square, Ipswich.
Occupation: Baker.
Captured: 15th February 1942 – Fall of Singapore. Transferred overland 5th August 1943.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 5824759.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment. 5th Battalion – Infantry.
The body was originally buried on the 23rd December 1943 at Kanburi Cemetery No. 2., grave 518. On the 11th January 1946, the body was exhumed, identified and re-buried at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.
Grave Reference:
2.C.40.
Thailand.
Image courtesy of Kevin Knights
Father: William Henry Chatfield, born March 1887, Battersea, London, a Painter for a Builder.
Mother: Violet Eliza Chatfield (nee Reeve), born September 1889, Ipswich.
Sister: Ada Beatrice Chatfield, born 1909, Ipswich.
Brother: Frank William Chatfield, born 1906, Ipswich – drowned in August 1916 whilst trying to save his brother, William.
CENSUS
1921 1, Barker’s Square, Norwich Road, Ipswich.
William was 8 years and 3 months old. He attended School and lived with his parents, brother and sisters.
William Chatfield, 39 years & 3 months old, a Training Tailor for the Training Centre, Barham House, near Claydon, Suffolk.
Violet Chatfield, 35 years & 9 months old, Home Duties.
George Albert Chatfield, 9 years & 8 months old, at School, born Ipswich.
Violet Eliza Chatfield, 7 years & 1 month old, at School, born Ipswich.
Dorothy May Chatfield, 17 months old, born Ipswich.
In 1938, Ipswich, William married Rosa Mary Spink, born January 1919, Suffolk, daughter of Alfred James Spink, a farm labourer and Kathleen Emma Spink (nee Stammers), of 92, Boyton Road, Ipswich.
Rosa and William had three children.
Probate to Rose Mary Chatfield – widow.
William’s widow Rosemary remarried in 1945 to Arthur Frederick Lord.
The 5th Battalions were attached to the 18th East Anglian Division.
On the 15th February 1942 William was captured by the Japanese, following the Fall of Singapore, approximately 620 of the 4th & 5th Battalions were taken POW and later used as slave labour on the Burma-Thailand Railway.
Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements
SUFFOLK REGIMENT MUSEUM
Friends of The Suffolk Regiment
William’s portrait and profile will be displayed at a V.J. Day exhibition “Be Ye Men of Valour” from Saturday, 9th August to Monday, 25th August (Bank Holiday) 2025, at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich, IP4 2BT. All welcome.
2 Comments
William Henry Chatfield was born in the summer of 1912 In Ipswich to William Henry Chatfield of Battersea, London and Violet Eliza Reeve of Ipswich, married 1906.
William H Chatfield was the fourth of eight children.
He married Rosenary Spink in 1938 and they had three children.
I have a photograph of William in uniform.
William Henry Chatfield is my Great Uncle my Grandfather was John Chatfield born 1894 died 1970.