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Albert George Chester was killed in a flying training accident at Enville, Staffordshire on 30 Jun 1941. He is buried in Leamington Cemetery, Brunswick St. He is commemorated on the UK WWII Allied Airmen Roll of Honour 1939-1945.
Albert George Chester c. 1940 (Ancestry)
Albert was born in Lutterworth on 11 Jun 1911. His parents were Thomas Chester (1876-1941) and Myra Lydia Dew (1877-1934) who had married in 1902 in Churchover, Rugby.
They had a large family including Alfred Joseph Chester (1904-1952); Emily Ev Chester (1906-1991); Walter Thomas Chester (1907-1993); Hilda Mary Chester (1909-2000); Frederick W. Chester (1914-1944); Ivy Florence Chester (1918-2000) and Ernest John Chester (1920-2016). In 1921, Albert was ten years old and living with his parents and siblings at 9 Council Street, Lutterworth and his father was s a Yardman, employed by Joseph Ellis Coal Merchants.
Thomas & Myra Chester, Albert’s parents (Ancestry)
Albert married Elsie May Reading (1916-1939) in Leamington in 1938 and they lived initially at 67 Kinross Road, Leamington. By 1939, Albert was a Stationer’s Assistant, at the Bedford Stores (Burgis & Colbourne). He also worked as a Special Constable. They lived at 44 Comyn Street, Leamington, near to Elsie’s parents, Ernest John and Florence May (née Halford) who lived a few doors away at 33.
Albert was accomplished in several sports. He played regularly for the Burgis & Colbourne Cricket Club from around1934, and was praised for his outstanding performance across batting, bowling and fielding in the 1939 season.
On 1 Dec 1939, Albert’s wife, Elsie, passed away on 1 Dec 1939, at the age of 23, after the birth of their only daughter, Pauline Elsie Chester (1939-2004).
Albert joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves and was training as an Air Observer and Navigator School in Staffordshire. On 20 Jun 1941, he was involved in a fatal training flying accident, in a field near to Blundies Lane, Enville, Seisdon, Staffordshire. The engine had stalled and crashed on take-off from Bobbington on a training flight.
The Coventry Evening Telegraph described Albert as a Leading Aircraftman, aged 30 who was well known in Leamington. Albert was buried in Leamington Cemetery, Brunswick Street. His memorial inscription said: “You left some broken hearts that loved you most sincere, Who never can and never will forget you, Albert dear.”
AG Chester Grave, Leamington Cemetery (CWGC)
Albert’s father, Thomas, died just two months later in August 1941. Albert left all his estate of £125 2s 4d to Elsie’s parents, Ernest and Florence. Albert’s daughter Pauline survived and lived in Lillington through her married life.
Albert’s younger brother, Lance Corporal Frederick W. Chester (5889779) who served in the 4th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers was also killed in the war on 22 Oct 1944. He was buried in Heesch, Netherlands. Married in 1940 to Marjorie Elizabeth Clarke, Frederick had two children: Clive D Chester was born in 1941 but died in infancy; and Christopher Robin Chester (1943-2014). He is commemorated on the All Saints’ Church, Gilmorton Memorial in Leicestershire.
Frederick W Chester, All Saint’s Church, Gilmorton Memorial, Leicestershire
Photograph © Rob Palmer / Imperial War Museums (WMR-69931)
Albert’s youngest brother, Ernest John Chester, was a sapper in the Royal Engineers served in North Africa and Italy was wounded on 30 Aug 1944.
