Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Chapman a canal lock keeper, born in the October quarter of 1860 in Kilby, Leicestershire and baptised on the 27th December 1860 in the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Kilby (son of William Chapman and Charlotte Tyler) and his wife Sarah Ann Chapman (nee Moore, married on the 7th October 1886 in the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Kilby), born in the July quarter of 1858 in Husbands Bosworth, Leicestershire and baptised on the 10th September 1858 in All Saint’s Church, Husbands Bosworth (daughter of Thomas Moore, 1831 and Sarah Moore, 1832). Cecil was born in the July quarter of 1895 in Wigston, Leicestershire, his siblings were, William Thomas, a canal horse driver, born in the April quarter of 1887 and baptised on the 29th May 1887 in All Saint’s Church, Husbands Bosworth, John George, a plough boy, born in the April quarter of 1888 and baptised on the 22nd December 1889 in the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Kilby and Arthur Edward, born in the April quarter of 1889 and baptised on the 22nd December 1889 in the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Kilby the latter three siblings were all born in Kilby Bridge, Leicestershire, Harry, born in the April quarter of 1892 in Kilby, Ernest Tyler, born in the April quarter of 1898 and Ellen Kathleen, born on the 26th June 1900, the latter two siblings were both born in Wigston, in March 1901 the family home was at Canal Lock House, Welford Road, East Wigston, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Cecil was employed as a biscuit maker and was residing in the family home at Lock House, Kilby Bridge, together with his father, a canal labourer, his mother and siblings, William, a farm labourer, John, a farm labourer, Arthur, a biscuit maker, Harry, a farm labourer, Ernest and Ellen. His brother, William Thomas died on the 23rd October 1916 from wounds received in action and Arthur Edward fell in action on the 2nd February 1917.
On receiving the news that her third and last son had fallen in action his mother Sarah took her own life by jumping into a canal lock on the 8th May 1917.
Cecil enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 15th May 1912 in Wigston, and was allotted the regimental service number 1590. He gave his place of birth as East Wigston, Leicestershire and age as 17 years 9 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as biscuit hand, presently in the employ of Messrs. W. Dunmore and Son. He gave his present address as Lock House, Kilby Bridge.
His medical inspection record gave his full name as Cecil Chapman, his apparent age as 17 years 9 months, his height as 5-foot 4 inches, his chest measurement as 32 inches to 34½ inches, his vision as normal and his physical development as good.
He was certified as fit for the Territorial Force. Date 15th May 1912. Place South Wigston.
He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father, John Chapman, Lock House, Kilby Bridge, Near Leicester.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 15/5/12.
Posted. To 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 15/5/12.
Attended. Annual training, Aberystwyth. 4/8/12 – 18/8/12.
Attended. Annual training, Grantham. 3/8/13 – 10/8/13.
Embodied service commenced. Pte. 5/8/14.
Embarked. With 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 1/3/15.
Landed. At Le Havre. 2/3/15.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (paid). Vice Lance Corporal Hodges. In the Field. 27/8/15.
Admitted. To 46th Divisional Rest Station, myositis. In the Field. 21/9/15.
Discharged. To duty. In the Field. 24/9/15.
Missing in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Buried by Officer Commanding 4th Bn. Grenadier Guards. 29/10/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 15/5/12 – 1/3/15. 2 years 291 days.
France. 2/3/15 – 13/10/15. 226 days.
Total Service. 3 years 152 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
On the 28th September 1916 Cecil’s mother, Sarah Ann of Lock House, Kilby Bridge, East Wigston, Leicester was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of four shillings and nine pence, commensurate on the 19th September 1916, after the death of Cecil’s mother the Pension was transferred to his father John and was increased to nine shillings and nine pence on the 6th November 1918 payable for life.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Friday, December 3rd, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. – LEICESTER TERRITORIALS KILLED OR MISSING. - (A photograph accompanied the article). – L.Cpl. C. CHAPMAN, 4th Leicester’s, killed on Oct. 13th. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Chapman, Lock House, Kilby Bridge.