No.12309, Private, Edwin CHAPMAN
Aged 29
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Edwin Chapman was born in Cambridge (Cambridge Q1-1888 3B:501), baptised on 13th March at St Giles, Cambridge, son of Thomas William and Eliza CHAPMAN
(née GAWTHROP) of Kettles Yard, Cambridge
1891 census...Aged 3 'Edward' was at Northampton Street, St Giles, Cambridge with his father William CHAPMAN [40] brickmaker, born Cambridge; his mother Eliza [39] born Histon; sister Eliza [12] born Cambridge and brothers William [18] brickmaker born Cambridge and Henry [9 months] born Grantchester. 1901 census...Aged 13, he was at Kettles Yard, Cambridge with his father Thomas William CHAPMAN [49], brickmaker born Cambridge; his mother Eliza [49] born Harston, sister Eliza H [22] born Cambridge and brother Henry C [10] born Cambridge. 1911 census... Aged 23, a labourer, he was at 58 Hertford Street, Chesterton, Cambridge with his parents and brother Henry C (labourer) In 1916 (Chesterton Q1-1916 3B:874) he married Annie Ida HOBBS, their address later was "Rose Cottage", Station Road, Soham. |
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The Battalion war diary has :-
14th..1 am..At zero the enemy's artillery put down an intimate barrage in front of their trenches and swept their front with M.gun fire. Owing to a light rain and the heavy state of the ground the men had great difficulty in getting along or keeping their feet and when they fell their rifles became choked up with mud. Eventually small parties from B.C and D Coy., with Captain Driver, 2/Lt.Furze, Burdon, Smith, Limbrick and a few other officers got up and in some cases established themselves on the far side of the first and second lines of hostile wire, but, owing to its thickness, were unable to get through the third line immediately in front of the BUQUOY trench. At about 3 am finding that under these conditions it was impossible to make further progress - orders were issued to Coys to withdraw and establish themselves again in their former posts and positions, this was successfully carried out by 4.50 am. Bn relieved and returned to BOLTON CAMP. Tea for 1st party (150) at SUCERIER. Battn all in by 3.30 am 15th Wet and cold night Offs 38 O.R.s 1066 CWGC records 25 killed, Wilfred Crab is named on the Thiepval memorial, Edwin Chapman is buried in Varennes, all the rest are buried in Queen's Cemetery, Bucquoy.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
