New Britain herald., 1917-09-25
BATTLEFIELD HERO
 CAUGHT AS THIEF Edward Chester, former Ambu- lance Driver, Sentenced to Jail H0USEBREAKING IS CHARGED
Boston Ban Brought Wounded From Firing Line in France Two Years Ago-Rcported to Be Member of Wealthy Boston Family.

From a place of honor as a Harvard graduate and a member of the Allied army with the first Harvard unit sent across to France two years ago with the American Field Ambulance serV- ice, to a cell in the New Britain po- lice station on a charge of house. eventful career of Edward Chester, 26 years old, a scion of a wealthy Boston family, sentenced to 20 days in jail by Judge James T. Meskill in police court this morning.
 Chester pleaded guilty to the charge of house. breaking, but said that he was drunk and did not know what he was doing. Yesterday afternoon, masquerading as a meter reader in the employ of the water department and also as an electric light inspector, he gained access to several houses in the west end and searched them cellar to garret. Although he thus gained entrance to many homes, it is not known that he took anything ex- cept at the residence of c. A. Hill on West Main street where it is alleged he took safety razor and six blades. A quantity of coins, $1.50 in nickels, $3.50 in dimes $7 in quarters and $2.5O in pennies as well as several hall dollars, was found in his pockets. These, he said. he won in crap game Sunday.
 Won A. B. Degree at Harvard.
 The story told by Chester is one of a continual battle with John Barley corn, with old J. B. coming out on top. In his High school days Chester was a prominent athlete. At Harvard he stood well in his classes and was graduated with an A. B. degree with the class of 1912, the same class that Percy Wendell, the famous All Amer 1can fullback was enrolled in. Two years ago, when the first Harvard Unit for the American Field Ambu. lance service was recruited young Chester enlisted and went to France as an ambulance driver. He par ticipated in several of the early bat ties of the war and saw action in one of the first struggles in which the Teutons used their gas attack He was partly overcome by this chlorine gas and was taken back to St. Georges hospital at Southwick, England, where he received treatment. At the ex- piration of his period of enlistment he returned to the United States and since that time, to use his own words, he has "been drifting around" About ten months ago he reached Plainville and obtained employment as a clerk at the freight transfer depot. Later he obtained employment at the Bris- tol Brass company where he worked up to the present.
 Early in May when another Har- ward Unit was being recruited young Chester was summoned back to Bos- ton for examination for enlistment but was rejected because of a permanent injury to his lungs, suffered as a re- suit of the ravages of the chlorine gas two years before
 Regarding himself the young man is very reticent and the above his- tory, which he admits is true, was gleaned from a friend who knew him in his better days. It is understood that Chester's father a man of S4 years, is well known in Boston social world as a wealthy retired business man. Asked today what his father did Chester replied that his father "did not work" Chester also has an older brother living in Boston, but his mother, he says is dead.