George Ernest Chapman
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George Ernest Chapman was born 29th November 1889 at Thorpe Salvin, Worksop and was the son of Henry Chapman a horseman on a farm and Harriett Chapman née Good of Thorpe Salvin, Worksop. His father Henry was born in 1859 in Wales, Yorkshire, his mother Harriett Good was born in 1865 Houghton Park, Nottinghamshire, they were married in 1884 their marriage was recorded in the Worksop registration district. They went on to have 11 children , sadly 1 of whom died in infancy, their surviving children were :- John G b1884 Worksop, Henry b1885 Kiveton Park, Edith b1887 Kiveton Park, George Ernest b1889 Thorpe Salvin, Leonard b1894 Thorpe Salvin, Jessie b1901 Thorpe Salvin, Sidney b1903 Worksop, William b1904 Worksop, Annie b1907 Thorpe Salvin and Agnes b1910 Thorpe Salvin. In the 1911 census the family are living at Swine Yard, Thorpe Salvin, Worksop and are shown as Henry 52 yrs a horseman on a farm, he is living with his wife Harriett 47 yrs and their children , Henry 26 yrs a labourer in a lime quarry, Edith 24 yrs no occupation given, George Ernest a general labourer, ,Leonard 17 yrs a general labourer, Jessie 10 yrs a scholar, Sidney 8 yrs a scholar, William 7 yrs a scholar, Annie 4 yrs and Agnes 1 yr.
Army Service Record survives (RHQ Coldstream Guards). Was in the Sherwood Rangers Notts Imperial Yeomanry when he enlisted on a short service engagement with the Coldstream Guards on 10 April 1911 at the age of 21 at Sheffield. Transferred to the Army Reserve 10 April 1914 on expiration of three years service. Mobilized 7 August 1914 and was with the Expeditionary Force Overseas (France) from 21 August 1914. He was killed in action at Reutel and is commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Article published 23rd November 1914 in the Nottingham Evening Post:- “NOTTS. MAN KILLED IN ACTION. “Police-constable Geo. E. Chapman, of the Notts. Constabulary, who rejoined his regiment, the Coldstream Guards, on the 4th of August, was killed in action on October 29th. He was a native of Thorpe Salvin, Worksop, and was much respected by his comrades of the headquarters-staff.” Details from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour. “CHAPMAN, GEORGE ERNEST, Private, No. 9073, 3rd Battn. Coldstream Guards, 2nd s. of Henry Chapman, of Thorpe Salvin, Worksop, Farm Horseman, by his wife, Harriett, dau. of William Good; b. Thorpe Salvin, co. Nottingham, 29 Nov. 1889; enlisted 10 April 1911, an served three years with the Colours, then passing into Reserve and joining the Nottingham County Constabulary. He was stationed at headquarters during his brief service with the force, and his superior officers spoke highly of him. On the declaration of war in August following, however, he was called up and was killed in action at Rentel, Belgium, 29 Oct. 1914.” Both above articles are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Nottingham Evening Post, 17 July 1915 and Mansfield Reporter, 23 July 1915 (extract): ‘Notts. Standing Joint Committee. Over 100 Policemen Join the Colours. The report of the Chief Constable (Capt. Tomasson) stated that during the past quarter … He regretted that Pc. AH Mitchell, who rejoined his regiment on the 4th August, was killed in action on April 30th, and that Pc. TA Kerry, who enlisted on the 7th September, was killed on the same day (sic-1 June 1915). Of the total of 104 members of the force who had joined the army four (sic) had been killed.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Note: Three other Nottinghamshire police constables had been killed by July 1915: George Ernest Chapman Coldstream Guards and Walter Slater Grenadier Guards (death confirmed 1916) both on 29 October 1914 and John George Ballard Grenadier Guards 7 November 1914.
