Charles Martin Chapman
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Charles was born in 1894 in Babworth and was the youngest son of John Thomas a game keeper and Jane Isabella Chapman,of The Lodge,Babworth,Retford. By the 1911 John and Jane have had seven children. In the 1911 census the family are living at Babworth Park Gates, Babworth Lodge Charles is 17 years of age and a clerk at an ironmongers, his elder brother William 24 years and following his father as a gamekeeper are the only family at the address on the night of the census. John and Jane must have been extremely proud parents as four of their sons joined up to serve for 'King and Country' during the 'Great War' William, Henry, John and Charles. However this pride must have turned to despair and grief when two of them Charles and John died within 10 days of each other , both having made the ultimate sacrifice.
Charles enlisted at Retford in 1914 and originally served with the service number 2082 in Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers) he transferred to the 1st battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was killed in action on 19th September 1918 and is buried in Trefcon British Cemetery grave reference D.28 His brother John also served with the 1/5th battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys Regiment ) and was killed in action on 29th September 1918 only ten days after his brother Charles.
Sgt Chas. Martin Chapman Retford Times 18th Oct 1918 We regret to record the death of Sgt Chas. Martin Chapman, youngest son of Mr and Mrs J Chapman, Babworth Lodge, who was killed in action in France on Sept 19th. He joined the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry in 1914 and by strict attention to duty and keenness he displayed as a soldier, soon rose to the rank of Sergeant. He was acting as Sergeant Major when, some twelve months ago, he was transferred to the Leicestershire Regiment. In the Leicesters he took the rank of Corporal, but two days before his death was again promoted to Sergeant. Before joining the Army he was for five years with Messrs Curtis and Howell, Retford and Coun. S Curtis in a letter of sympathy to Mr and Mrs Chapman says:- “Charlie was such a promising lad and would, I feel sure, have got on in life had he been spared. He was one of the nicest lads I ever had under me.” A Whitaker of the Sherwood Rangers, in a letter writes:- “We have just heard of the death of Charles and I assure you it has greatly upset all who knew him and worked with or under him. His was a character we all admired and his memory will ever be dear to all of us.” He was a smart, intelligent, promising young man, esteemed and respected by all who knew him and much sympathy is felt with Mr and Mrs Chapman and family in their sad bereavement. Mr and Mrs Chapman have three other sons serving – Trooper W Chapman, Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, attached to the Engineers in Palestine: Lance Corpl Harry Chapman with the tanks in France: and Corpl Jack Chapman, Sherwood Foresters, France. Their son in law, Pte A Cowell, is also in France serving as a motor driver in an ammunition column.
