W J Chapman

Private, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)

Died 16th July 1918, aged 30 of Phthisis (pulmonary tuberculosis or a similar progressive wasting disease).

Husband of Rosina C. Chapman, of 10, Blenheim Cottage, Sunbury Common.

Service No: 1332

Regiment/Service: Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)

Grave Reference: C. 7. 243.

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Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) in The Great War

Chapman’s low service number might suggest a pre war regular.

The 1st Battalion, which was a Regular Army unit stationed in Dublin at the outbreak of war in August 1914, was one of the first units to be moved to France where it became part of the 13th Brigade in the 5th Division. Among its first major engagements were the Battle of Mons on 23 August and the Battle of Le Cateau three days later. In October the battalion made a heroic stand at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle; being the only unit not to fall back. Out of 750 men, only 300 commanded by a lieutenant and a 2nd lieutenant survived. Apart from a brief period from December 1917 to April 1918, when it was moved with the 5th Division to the Italian Front, the 1st Battalion was stationed on the Western Front for the duration of the war.