South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 9950 Edward CHAPMAN - 1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Killed in action on Sunday, July 30th 1916 aged 27


Military History

     
Theatre of War Campaign Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals Thiepval Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Bravery & Conduct Medals SWFHS Area Memorials
18 July 1915 in France ~ Leamington Spa War Memorial
    Leamington St. John's Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died Date and Place Enlisted  
Battle of the Somme October 1914 in Warwick   
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials
Le Petit Bazentine  ~
     

Circumstances of Death

Richard is listed as being killed in action on 30 Jul 1916 during the Battle of the Somme at Delville Wood. The war diary for the day is transcribed below:
 
Trenches - 30-7-16 - Sunday:

During the night of 29th/30th a patrol went out to ascertain the amount of wire the enemy had in front of his line. The patrol returned safely and reported that the wire was well cut.

Zero hour was fixed for 6.10pm and there was to be an intense bombardment for one minute at 6:09pm as a matter of fact there was heavy shelling by both sides for quite one hour before the assault which rather upset things.

At one minute to zero the Coys, who were now all in the front line, crept out under the barrage, B&C making the first line A&D Coys the 2nd line. A, B and C Coys reached their objectives D Coy were stopped halfway by heavy M.G. Fire and lack of officers (casualties). Nevertheless they were led up into the line later.

Meanwhile urgent messages came down to Batt HQ for reinforcements and more munitions. The H.Q Coy was then sent out to support and the Coys began consolidating. About 20 prisoners were taken and a machine gun, the majority of the prisoners being killed by their own shell fire together with their escort on the way back.

The S.W. Borderers then went up and the communication trench was dug back to our original line. The Batt got into touch with the Kings Own Regt on the right but had no one on our left as the 10th Worcesters had failed. We were in fact the only Batt in the Bde who had gained their objectives. The shelling all through was very severe. END


 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Oct-Dec Qtr 1888 in Leamington Spa  2 Dec 1888 at Leamington Spa, St Mary                     
   
Parents Names Abode
William and Mary Chapman 11 Charles Street, Leamington Spa
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1888 - 18 Waterloo Street, Leamington Spa 1901 - School age (12) 
1891 - 7 Charles Street, Leamington Spa 1911 - Not found 
1901 - 11 Charles Street, Leamington Spa  
1911 - Not found - parents at Charles Street.  
1916 - 19 Charles Street, Leamington Spa