Name
Frank Chapman (MM)
27 August 1897
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/11/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
266188
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Military Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MONTAY-NEUVILLY ROAD CEMETERY, MONTAY
IV. A. 24.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Hertford Heath Village Memorial, Holy Trinity Church Memorial, Little Amwell, Not on the Baldock memorials
Pre War
Frank Chapman was born in Baldock, Hertfordshire on 27 August 1897, the son of James Chapman, and Emma (nee Mumford) and baptised on 9 March 1898 at Weston, Herts as Frank Charles Chapman. His parents had married earlier in 1897 in the Ware registration district.
On the 1901 Census Frank was living with his mother at the home of William Mumford, his grandfather, together with uncle Arthur Mumford and Aunt Ada at The Street, Hertford Heath. His father was not listed with them and his mother's occupation was given as housekeeper for her father.
By the 1911 Census Frank and his mother Emma were living at Meadow View, Hertford Heath, the home of his aunt Ellen Bell (nee Mumford) with Grandfather William, and cousins Edith and William Bell. His mother was then described as widowed and was working as a laundress.
His mother's address on pension records was later given as Brickfield Cottages, Hertford Heath.
Wartime Service
Frank enlisted in Hertford and joined the Bedfordshire Regiment as Private 266188, serving with the 2nd Battalion.
The 2nd Battalion war diary for November 1918 records the award of the Military Medal to Frank on 2 November 1918, but gives no details.
On 4 November 1918 the Battalion was detailed for an operation at Preux-au-Boise [Battle of the Sambre] and during this "successful" operation 7 were killed, 34 wounded and Frank was one of the 3 who were missing. He was later reported as wounded and missing and his death was presumed to be 4 November 1918. His remains were recovered at the end of the war and he is now buried in Montay-Neuvilly Road Cemetery, France.
Additional Information
His mother received a war gratuity of £23 and pay owing of £3 4s 5d. She also received a pension of 7 shillings a week.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper, Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild
