Private Charles Reading Kenchatt was born on 14 October 1887 in Hendon one of the eleven children of Philip Kenchatt (1855-1935) and Phoebe Ann Kenchatt née Reading (1858-1930). His father had several occupations including that of a coachman in domestic service, a general labourer, a milk carrier and a London County Council's park under-keeper whilst his mother was a laundress.
He was baptised, together with his brother Ralph Kenchatt (1891-1916) and sister Charlotte Harriet Kenchatt (1892-1892) on 12 February 1891 at Christ Church, Hampstead, and the baptismal register shows the family living at 3 Golders Hill Terrace, North End, Hampstead. This address is confirmed in the 1891 census that shows him living in three rooms with his parents and two of his siblings: Philip John Kenchatt (1886-1968) & Ralph Kenchatt, together with a female domestic servant.
The 1901 census shows him as a grocer's porter living in three rooms at 3 Castle Cottages, Childs Hill, with his parents and four of his siblings: Philip John Kenchatt, Ralph Kenchatt, Francis Kenchatt (1894-1928) and Nellie May Kenchatt (1899-1982).
On 10 November 1904 in Halifax, Yorkshire he enlisted for nine years, with a further three years in the reserve, in the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment. The regiment remained in the United Kingdom until it embarked for India on 7 November 1906. It returned to the United Kingdom on 25 February 1913 and he was placed on the reserve on 28 February 1913. He obtained employment with the London County Council Parks Department. He was recalled to the colours on 5 August 1914 and entered France on 27 August 1914. He was serving as a private on the 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment when he was killed in action, aged 27 years, on 10 November 1914. As he has no known grave he is commemorated on Stone K, Addendum Panel 59 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Ypres (now Ieper), Belgium.
His father was sent his army effects that totalled £9-4s-11d on 26 June 1915 to his home at 9 Albert Cottages, Golders Green, Hendon and on 23 June 1919 he was sent his £5-0s-0d war gratuity. He was posthumously awarded the 1914 Star with the '5 Aug-22 Nov 1914' Clasp, the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
His brother, Ralph Kenchatt, who was serving in 'A' Company, 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, was killed in action on 1 July 1916 and his cousin Harold Kenchatt, who was serving in the 6th Battalion, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment was killed in action on 24 August 1916.
At the time of his death he was a resident of Golders Green.
Harold Kenchatt was his cousin. All three are commemorated on the War Memorial Cross at Christ Church, Hampstead.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
