RGA Death 1921 142nd heavy Bty

[The Guardroom]

Hi, Trying to find any info out on the man below who is buried in a local graveyard.

Have all the CWGC info, but trying to figure out if this man served in war. Have checked the NA on line and many G Chapmans as Gnrs.

His age in 1921 was 33 , so may well have done ?

I would guess that he died in the UK of something either related to wounds received in war or of something totally unattached.

If any one can tell me where the 142nd Heavy Bty was in the UK, it would help.

109052 GNR GEORGE CHAPMAN AGE 33 DIED 25/2/1921

Many thanks,

Alan

[kevinrowlinson]

Alan,

Sorry I can't tell where 140 HB were later in the war, but it does seem a bit late to still be serving. Is it a CWGC war grave? If he was still serving with that battery then I would say that there is a good chance he could have started with it. Actually quite unusual. His number indicates someone enlisting April/May 1916. If his MIC shows both medals then he must have served abroard. Possible number mistake? http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...;resultcount=18 .

Kevin

[The Guardroom]

Hi Kevin,

Yes its CWGC stone. Could he have signed on for further service and died in UK perhaps later ? Not sure if he would have got a CWGC headstone in that case.

Many G or George Chapmans on NA list so not really able to say if medal entitled ?

Have attached pic of his grave.

Rgds,

Alan

[kevinrowlinson]

Alan,

You would have to download the above MIC to see what medals are listed. I would have thought that you have a better chance to see whether there was anything written about him in the local newspaper. You do, at least, have a specific date. Perhaps your local library has copies.

Kevin

[kevinrowlinson]

Alan,

I have it on good authority that on his B & V roll he is down as serving with 18th Heavy Battery. This was in Salonika up to Feb. 1919, when the war diary ends, and the majority of gunners had been suffering from the Flu, 10 to 12 a month, and as many returning home because of it. Just adds a bit to his service.

Kevin

[The Guardroom]

Thanks Kevin,

Very interesting that he Medal roll states 18th Heavy Bty, whilst the CWGC site states 142nd Heavy Bty.

Why do you think the difference ? Could it be that by the time he died in 1921 he was with the 142nd, whilst the 18th was who he served with in 1918 ?

Have been looking up your point on the Flu and keep seeing instances of a relapsing fever or influeza (killing thousands in the UK).

Perhaps Chapman was still in the RGA after the war and still a serving gunner in 1921 and died of this relapsing fever, hence the CWGC head stone.

If he was unfit for duty after 1918, I am sure the army would have cut him lose sooner a medically unfit and then he would not have had a CWGC headstone ?

Rgds,

Alan

[kevinrowlinson]

Alan,

Having served in Salonika he could have brought home any number of illnesses apart from the Flu, malaria etc.. The 142th HB would indicate it was the last battery he was serving with. The obvious thing would be to get his death certificate, used to cost £7, and a likely entry may be George Chapman, aged 33, Easthamstead, Jan/Mch 1921, 2c 515. Without spending any money I still think a likely source for information is the local newspapers.

Regards Kevin