Cornelius John Chislett (known as Jack) was born on 1 July 1877 in Philadelphia, USA. He was the eldest child of Cornelius John and Annie Chislett (both of Swansea) who had gone to Philadelphia to work in the docks. His great-grand-daughter kindly provided the following:

He was born in Philadelphia but the family returned to Swansea as the living conditions were worse than those in the Swansea docklands!

By 1881, the family had moved to 35 Catherine St, Swansea where his father was working as a House Painter. By 1891 however, his father passed away and his mother was ‘Living on her own Means’ with Jack and his younger sister Lillian. Possibly to help ends meet, Jack had started work as a Telegraph Messenger and it is possible that this was also a factor when he joined the 1st Glamorgan Artillery Volunteers in 1894 just before his 17th birthday.

By 1901, his mother had remarried and the family had moved to 80 Rhondda Street. In the census he was listed as 23 years old and working as a Post Office Banking Clerk and Telegraphist.

Later that year, on 22 Oct 1901, Jack married Winifred Matthews in Swansea. Jack & Winifred quickly started a family and welcomed 3 children by 1908, Winifred Lilian, Albert John and Glyn Colyn.

By 1908, the family were living at 5 Victoria Terrace and his service papers from that year provide a physical description. Jack was 5ft 7in tall, blue eyes and had a butterfly tattoo.

At the outbreak of the War, Jack was mobilized and despite remaining in the UK, he would have seen little of them until he was demobilized in 1919 when he returned to Victoria Terrace. Shortly after, the family welcomed their fourth child, Gwendoline Marion. Jack also returned to his job and in the 1921 census was listed as a Telelegraphist at the G Post Office.

By 1937, the family had moved to 30 Dunraven Road and in the 1939 Register, Jack and Winifred appear living at with their youngest daughter Gwendoline. Jack is listed as Retired and a member of the ARP.

Cornelius John (Jack) Chislett passed away at the age of 82 on 30 October 1959 at Swansea General Hospital. He was survived by his Children, Gwendoline & Glyn.

Jack Chislett enlisted in the 1st Glamorgan Artillery Volunteers on 12 March 1894, 4 months before his 17th birthday. Unfortunately, no records have survived relating to this period, however, it is apparent that he was a good soldier, progressing rapidly to the rank of Sergeant by 1906 and also training as a Signaller.

On 1 April 1908, the unit was disbanded and the 4th Welsh Howitzer Brigade of the newly formed Territorial Force was created in and around Swansea. Sgt Chislett re-enlisted in the unit on 10 April and was given the new unit service number of 9, one of the first members of the Brigade. Later that year, after a discussion about unit seniority, the Brigade was redesignated the 1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade.

Fortunately, Sgt Chislett’s service record from this period has survived despite being damaged in the Blitz during the 2nd World War. It provides a good level of detail on his subsequent service.

He continued to be an efficient soldier (attending summer camps and regular evening parades) and in 1909, in recognition of 12 years good service was awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal.

In July 1913 he was appointed Orderly Room Sergeant, an important and trusted position in the unit.

When war was declared, it is likely that Sgt Chislett had just left Swansea for Summer Camp on Salisbury Plain. The men quickly returned to Swansea and were embodied for war service on 5 August 1914. Shortly after, they moved to Shrewsbury where the Welsh Territorial Division concentrated.

At the start of September 1914, the Brigade moved to Northampton and Sgt Chislett transferred to the 1st Glamorgan Battery on the 26th of that month.

In December 1914, the unit moved to Cambridge and in May 1915 to Bedford. Throughout this period they continued to train for Active Service.

The Brigade finally received orders to ship to France for front line acclimatization in November 1915. In the weeks running up to this, a photograph of the Brigade NCOs was taken and published in a local newspaper. Sgt J Chislett is seated in the second row.

On the same day that the Brigade finally travelled to France, Sgt Chislett transferred to the 68th (Welsh) Divisional Signal Company, Royal Engineers (Signals Section) at Bedford. He reverted to the rank of Acting Corporal and was given the new service number 912 (later 452508). He transferred as a telegraphist, reflecting his role in civilian life.

Once again, he was promoted rapidly and became Acting Sergeant on 14 December 1915 at Bedford and full Sergeant on 26 February 1917 at Bungay, Norfolk. He also continued to train as a Telegraphist and was qualified as Proficient on 14 December 1915 and Skilled on 17 February 1917. It is apparent that his rank had a strong link to his improving technical skills.

His military records give no further insight into what he did during this period, however and article in the Western Mail in March 1935 gives further information:

He was a member of the 1st Glamorgan Artillery Volunteers (subsequently the 1st Welsh Howitzer Brigade R.F.A) from 1895 to 1915, transferring to the Royal Engineers during mobilised service and being discharged in May 1919. He was an instructor of signals for most of this period and held the rank of sergeant.

Sgt Jack Chislett was finally demobilized on 9 May 1919 from Bungay.