Arthur Henry Chamberlain appeared before Military Tribunals in December 1916 and March 1917 to appeal against conscription. He was a married carter and horse-keeper, living at Bowers Hill, Badsey and after his second appearance he was granted exemption until 1st June 1917. However, his Army record shows that he was Attested on 7th December 1915 for service in the 5th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, but was not called to serve until 7th June 1917.
He had been born in Wellington Heath, Herefordshire, a son of Francis Henry and Elizabeth Chamberlain. His family lived in Wickhamford for a few years before the outbreak of the First World War. His parents had three children baptised in Wickhamford whilst they were living there from approximately 1903 until 1906.
Arthur Chamberlain served, as a Private (No. 46941), in the 2nd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment and was sent to France on 22nd December 1917. He was captured by the Germans on 21st March 1918 and was released on 20th December 1918 after being a prisoner-of-war in various camps in Germany. The Badsey Parish Magazine of May 1918 reported that he was a PoW and that a communication had been received from him. He was charged with being absent without leave on 6th September 1919 and finally discharged on 16th October 1919. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His son, Francis George Chamberlain (born in December 1917) was baptised in Wickhamford on 10th March 1918. In the Baptism Register the child’s father’s occupation was recorded as ‘soldier’.
Arthur Henry Chamberlain died in mid-1969, in Evesham.