Name
Ernest Charles Chappell
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/07/1917
36
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
L/7824
Royal Sussex Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN
P. II. E. 7A.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Sawbridgeworth memorials
Pre War
Ernest was the son of William and Susan Chappell. Born in 1882 at Chichester in Sussex, Ernest’s parents lived there at 34 Cavendish Street.
Ernest Chappell was a professional soldier, having enlisted in 1904 and served with the Royal Sussex Regiment.
He was married to E. J. Chappell, of 34, Cavendish St., Chichester.
Native of Sawbridgeworth, Herts. He enlisted in Chichester.
Wartime Service
On the 12 August 1914, the 7th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment was formed as a ‘Kitchener’ Service Battalion. In order to give some experience to the unit, Ernest was one of the ‘Old Sweats’ transferred into the Battalion from the regulars.
After a period in England, on 1 June 1915 the Battalion arrived at Boulogne in France, and from September that year onwards was involved in numerous actions.
On 25 July 1917, the Battalion was again in action at Monchy-le-Preux and suffered casualties of 30 killed, 63 wounded. One of the wounded was Ernest Chappell. He died from his wounds two days later on the 27 July 1917. He was aged 36.
Ernest Chappell is buried at St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.
The only connection I can find to Sawbridgeworth appears to be relatives who lived in Clay Lane (West Road). Surprisingly, Ernest Chappell is not named on the Chichester War Memorial.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Douglas Coe
