Patricius George Chaworth-Musters

He was the eldest son of Mrs M.A Chaworth-Musters of 13 Low Pavement Nottingham and the late Mr JP Chaworth-Musters, DL JP, of Annesley Park Nottinghamshire. They had four daughters and seven sons: Patricius ('Pat') George (1888-1915), John ('Jack') Neville (1890-1970), Anthony ('Tony') (1892-1987), Philip ('Phil') Mundy (1895-1917), Robert ('Bob' (1896-1918), Douglas (1898-1957), James Lawrence ('Jim') (1901-1948). All but James, who was too young, served in the Great War. Two of Patricius' brothers also died in the war: Captain Philip Mundy Chaworth-Musters MC, Royal Field Artillery, was killed 18 July 1917, aged 22 (Poperinghe New Military Cemetery), and Captain Robert Chaworth-Musters MC, King's Royal Rifle Corps, died in hospital 10 October 1918, age 22 (Annesley and Felley Cemetery). A cousin, Lieutenant Roger Michael Chaworth-Musters, Royal Flying Corps, was killed 7 May 1917.

He was educated at Benges, Rugby and Sandhurst.

He was wounded at La Bassee on 8 January 1917 and died three days later at Bethune where he had been evacuated by rail. He was buried in Bethune Town Cemetery (grave ref II.B.1). www.nottingham.ac.uk/manuscriptsandspecialcollections/collectionsindepth/family/chaworth-mustersofannesley/biographies/firstworldwarservice: 'Pat was born in Norway and educated at Rugby School. He was already a regular soldier at the outbreak of the First World War, having been commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the King's Royal Rifles on 1 October 1907 (see ChM/C/3/13/1-2). He was wounded in September 1914 during the retreat from Mons (see his war diary, ChM/F/11) and recovered in Britain before being sent back to active service in France. He was hit by a shell in early January 1915 at La Bassée and severely injured. His right arm was amputated, but he died of blood poisoning a few days later, aged 26. He was buried at Béthune in France. He was posthumously awarded the Military Cross in 1916 for conspicuous gallantry [Not listed on CWGC record]. See the online catalogue for descriptions of the letters home from Pat Chaworth-Musters (ChM/C/12/1-24).'

Personal inscription, CWGC headstone: '1st Battn' A family grave in Annesley and Felley Cemetery, adjacent to All Saints Church, commemorates members of the Chaworth-Musters family including Patricius George and his brothers: 'Sacred to the memory of Robert Chaworth-Musters MC, Captn 12th Battn Kings Royal Rifles, died in hospital Octr 10th 1918, after 4 years & 2 months service, aged 22. Also of his brothers Patricius George Chaworth-Musters, Lieut 1st Battn Kings Royal Rifles, fell in France Jany 11th 1915, aged 26, buried at Bethune. And Philip Mundy Chaworth-Musters MC, Captn RFA fell in Flanders, July 17th 1917, aged 22. Buried at Poperinghe. He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto Him. Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life' There is a family memorial in All Saints Church, Annesley Woodhouse (WMA26871): ‘To the glorious memory of Patricius George Chaworth-Musters (text), Philip Mundy Chaworth-Musters MC (text) and Robert Chaworth-Musters MC (text), eldest, fourth and fifth sons of John Patricius Chaworth-Musters Esq of Annesley Park, Notts, and their cousin, Roger Michael Chaworth-Musters, Lieutenant 50th Squadron Royal Flying Corps, second son of Lancelot George BM Chaworth-Musters Esq, of Field Dalling, Norfolk, He fell in aerial combat in France May 7th 1917 aged 19. In the morning of their lives.’