LEATHERHEAD WAR MEMORIALS - WWI
Capt Henry Ernest Chapman MC
'G' Battery RHA
Town Memorial P2.R1.C2
Capt
Henry E Chapman M.C.
Royal Horse Artillery
Roisel
Mar 22 1918
Taken, Not Given, Liam Sumption, L&DLHS
In the Parish Church of St Mary & St Nicholas Leatherhead is this plaque
| IN
DEAREST MEMORY OF CAPTAIN HENRY E. CHAPMAN M.C. ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY WOUNDED AND MISSING NEAR ROISEL, FRANCE WHEN COMMANDING G BATTERY, RHA THE 22ND DAY OF MARCH 1918 AGED 24 YEARS |
 memorial image source: Haslam |
His full Christian names were Henry Ernest and he was born on 4 May 1893. He had been a Gentleman Cadet at the Royal Academy, Woolwich ('the Shop')¹.
He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery on 13 July 1913 and on the outbreak of war was serving with 121st Battery RFA at Newbridge, Co. Kildare, on the Curragh².
His Mention in Despatches was Gazetted on 19 October 1914.
The invaluable May 1915 issue of the Parish Magazine³ identifies him as a Lieutenant. His brother's Mention in Despatches is listed in the June issue - he is described as Lt. WG Chapman, 2nd Bn., The Gloucestershire Regt. The May 1917 issue mentions the award of a Military Cross to this brother and says that Henry's award of the same decoration "was Gazetted some months ago".
Like Lance Corporal Robert Strickland of the Foresters who died a few days later, Henry Chapman was killed in the opening days of the German March 1918 offensive. It was Germany's last offensive but its blows fell like hammers.
Early in March 1918 Henry Chapman's battery ('G') formed part of 4 Brigade RHA. On 14 March the battery was detached until 16 April to 17 Brigade RHA, though the actual transfer was not recorded in 4 Brigade's War Diary until 26 March. However that may be a technicality as 17 Brigade's War Diary notes that 'G' Battery was taken under its wing on 14th March. [notes 4,5]
On 15th March 'G' and 'N' Batteries were in Anti-Tank Reserve, 'G' being situated on the front of 66 Division at Monchy-Labache. Two days later Major Elliot took command of the Battery, vice Major Young who had been promoted. Whether his superior had not formally taken up his appointment or else was incapacitated in the early hours of the German onslaught is uncertain, but it is clear that at the material time Henry Chapman was in command.
According to 17 Brigade's War Diary the German offensive opened on 21st March at about 4.30am with a very heavy bombardment. 4 Brigade's War Diary mentions gas and shell and both Diaries mention the prevailing fog, of which the Germans took full advantage.
'G' Battery was in action in front of Hamelet. Early on 22 March the Brigade C.O. sent Lt Canmell to visit 'G' Battery and the Adjutant to 'N' Battery. At 5pm 17 Brigade HQ moved back to Ennemain(?).
The next day (23 March) at 8am the RHA Brigade C.O. was collecting his Batteries at Villers-Carbonel. The Diary states that it was then that he learned that Captain Chapman was wounded and missing.
A report by the C.O. of Eagle Troop R.H.A. is attached to the Brigade War Diary. He says " 'G', our sister troop, suffered severely. They were commanded throughout by a subaltern. Captain Chapman had been wounded and taken prisoner on March 22nd in Roisel when trying to rally the infantry."
Evidently he [Chapman] died the same day. Sadly, the young subaltern who had taken over the command of 'G' Battery was later killed.
Sources
1. List of officers prepared by the Royal Artillery Institution 1914,
PRO
2. Army List 1914, PRO
3. Issues of Leatherhead Parish Magazine
4. File WO95/1146 War Diary of 4 Brigade RHA, PRO
5. File WO95/1163 War Diary of 17 Brigade RHA, PRO
He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. G. N. Chapman, of Lower Old Park, Farnham, Surrey. He is listed among the War casualties on the Church Lads Brigade tryptich at All Saints, Leatherhead.
The CWGC records show that Henry Chapman was the holder of the King George's Coronation Medal.
The London Gazette Issue 29886 1 January 1917, published on 29 December 1916, page 32 of 56, records the award of the Military Cross to Lt Henry Ernest Chapman RFA [Royal Field Artillery]. [Acrobat™ Reader is required to view Gazette pages]
Captain Henry Chapman MC has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Panel 7 to 10.
His brother, WG Chapman, who also served, survived the war and lived with their parents.
From the Leatherhead Parish Magazine, July 1923
The Parish has sustained a great loss by the departure of Mr. and Mrs.
Chapman. Both were most active and valued members of our Parochial
Church Council, and Mr. Chapman was one of the Representatives of the
Parish on the Ruri-decanal Conference. He was one of the original
members of our Branch of the C.E.M.S., and a keen supporter of s
proceedings during the all too short period of its existence; and he as
also the first Secretary of the Parish Church Relief Committee.
Mrs. Chapman was for some years a District Visitor until the exacting
claims of her work as a member of the Epsom Board of Guardians and as
its representative upon various Committees demanded too much of her
time.
During the war Mr. Chapman was enrolled in the National Reserve, and
Mrs. Chapman was Commandant of the Red House Hospital, a member of the
Food Control Committee, and one of the chief organizers our National
Kitchen. During their residence here both of them have unsparing of
time, labour, and thought for the general good; and the gratitude and
good wishes of all will follow them to their new home near Farnham.
From the National Probate Calendar
CHAPMAN, Henry Ernest of Kinawley Leatherhead Surrey M.C. captain R.H.A.
died on or since 22 March 1918 in France or Belgium Administration
London to George Nicholson Chapman company limited director.
Effects £642 14s 2d
Also from Ancestry.com
George Nicholson Chapman (32) married Constance Ethel Amelia Jane Fox at
St Stephen's, Shepherds Bush, Hammersmith and Fulham, England on 12th
June 1888. He was described as a Merchant, residing in Le Havre, France.
His father was Henry Chapman Esq. The bride was resident in Shepherds
Bush and her father was Willoughby George Fox Esq.
In 1919 the Chapmans were living at Kinawley, Leatherhead. The house of that name is still there, at 3 Station Road.
In 1924 they were on the electoral register for the Parish of Farnham (Outer Ward), at Lower Old Park Farm, with Willoughby George Chapman (Capt) and were still there in 1937.
Via Google
Constance Chapman ran the Red Cross VAD in Leatherhead and is mentioned
in connection with this in the August 1916 Parish Magazine.
Links
Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry
RHA - see links page on main LWM website
the website editor would like to add
further information on this casualty
e.g. a photo of him, of his name on the Pozieres memorial
and of any recollections within his family
lupdated 10 Feb 14: CWGC links updated 7 Nov 17: content
updated 2 Feb 2018: 18 Dec 18