Category: Military
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment or Ship: 7th Bn Royal Sussex Regiment
Service Number(s): SD/2646
Occupation: Dentist (Artificial Teeth)
Date of Birth: 1883
Place of Birth: Reading, Berks.
Date of Death: 03.05.1917
Place of Death: Arras, France
Place of Burial / Memorials:
Bay 6, Arras
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents: Charles Chunn (1857-) and Elizabeth Ann Chunn, nee Shilton, (1855-1915). In 1911 Charles’ family lived at Kings Road, Swanage, where Charles worked as a Decorator.
Siblings: Ernest Jacob Chunn (1880-1913); Winifred Chunn (1894-); Elizabeth Jane Chunn (1897-).
In 1915 Erling married Clara Maxse (1886-1936) in Chichester, Sussex. On the marriage index Clara’s surname is also shown as ‘or Liebholz).
First World War Experience
As with so many members of the Armed Forces in WW1 Erling’s Service Record did not survive the bombings of WW2 but we do know that he was killed in action on 3rd May 1917 – although this was not reported until 4th May 1918 when an article appeared in a local newspaper reading:-
“Private Croft, who is now home on leave from France, has brought the sad news of the death in action of Lance Corporal Erling Victor Chunn (2646) 7th Royal Sussex Regiment who was killed on May 3rd 1917, in the battle of Arras. Private Croft is in possession of the details of the death and burial of the corporal, who was a good soldier and did his duty well. The widow has not yet received his belongings.”
Erling was posthumously awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.