Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Chamberlain a coal miner, born 1859 in Netherseal, Leics., and his wife Rose Hannah, born 1862 in Wiltshire. Horace was born in 1889 in Castle Gresley, Derbys., his siblings were, James, born 1884, Ellen, born 1885, John, born 1887 and Louis, born 1888, all his siblings were born in Castle Gresley, Derbys., in April 1891 the family home was at New Street, Castle Gresley, Derbys. In March 1901 Horace was residing in the family home at Newfield, Ashby Wolds, Moira, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, James, Ellen, Louis and Hector R., born 1901 in Moira, Leics. In April 1911 Horace was employed as a coal miner and was residing in the family home at 2, Newfield Road, Moira, Leics., together with his father, now a coal miner underground deputy, his mother and siblings, Louis and Hector. The family later moved to 3, Newfield Road, Moira, Leics. Notes taken from his service record show that he gave his trade or calling as a Minister of Religion. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 6 inches in height, he weighed 149 pounds, had a chest measurement of 36 to 39 inches, had a medium complexion, with greyish brown eyes and brown hair. He gave his religion as Methodist. On enlistment he was allocated the service number of 1827, he embarked at Hobart aboard H.M.A.T. A70 “Ballarat” on the 8th August disembarking at Plymouth on the 30th September 1916. He was taken on the strength of the 10th Training Battalion on the 30th September 1916. Transferring to the 40th Battalion on the 21st October 1916. He was promoted to Corporal on the 19th November 1916. He proceeded overseas to France via Southampton on the 23rd November 1916. He was promoted to Sergeant on the 11th February 1917, to replace Sergeant Pugh who had been killed in action. He was posted to 2nd Officers Cadet Battalion, Pembroke College, Cambridge on the 5th May 1917. Appointed 2nd Lieutenant and posted overseas to France on the 31st August 1917. He was promoted to Lieutenant on the 12th December 1917. He attended General Headquarters Small Arms School on the 15th January 1918. He went to England on leave on the 12th February, rejoining his Battalion on the 1st March 1918. On the 28th March he was wounded in action suffering a gun shot wound to the head and was admitted to the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital where he died from his wounds on the 30th March 1918. His burial service on the 1st April at Doullens, was conducted by the Reverend J. H. Andrews, who was attached to the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital. During his time in Australia, Horace had been a former student of Queen’s College, Melbourne.