LIEUTENANT COLONEL RICHARD CHESTER CHESTER-MASTER, DSO AND BAR
KING'S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS
30TH AUGUST 1917 AGE 47
BURIED: LOCRE HOSPICE CEMETERY, BELGIUM
Lt. Colonel Chester-Muster's inscription comes from the first verse of the once very popular and highly emotional Remembrance hymn O Valiant Hearts, written by Sir John Arkwright in 1917.
O valiant hearts who to your glory came
Through clouds of conflict and through battle flame;
Tranquil you lie, your knightly virtue proved,
Your memory hallowed in the land you loved.
Chester-Muster was a professional soldier who had served in the South African War. In 1914 he was on the reserve list; he was also Chief Constable of Gloucestershire. He rejoined his regiment on the outbreak of war and went with it to France. He was shot by a sniper on 30 August 1917. His DSO and Bar bear testament to his qualities as a soldier and the Acting Chief Constable's tribute, distributed to all the police stations in Gloucestershire to notify them of his death, bear testament to his qualities as a man:
"In him the country has lost a brave and experienced soldier; the county of Gloucestershire has lost a valued and high-minded official; the Police Force has lost a head who had devoted the best energies of his life, since he became Chief Constable, to their official and private welfare; and a great many people have lost a friend whom they had learnt to honour and love. He has passed away in the midst of what promised to be a brilliant military career, leaving behind him a memory which will never bee forgotten of a "gallant gentleman" in the best and noblest sense of the word."
Richard Chester-Master's wife, Geraldine, chose his inscription. Born Geraldine Mary Rose Arkwright, she was the sister of Sir John Arkwright, the author of 'O Valiant hearts'.