Arthur George Chapman
Arthur George Chapman was the son of James
and M. S. Chapman of 14 Longmead Avenue, Horfield. After enlistment, he served
in France with the
Canadian Infantry. His service record is available via the Canadian Archives,
and tells us that he enlisted at
Vancouver, British Columbia on 30 Aug 1915. He had previously served 3 years in
6th Gloucester’s Regiment (Territorials). Arthur arrived in the UK in
November 1915 and left for France in August 1916. He was wounded in August 1916
by a Gun Shot Wound to the head, but this appears to have been minor. In December 1916 he was attached to the Canadian
Permanent Base Engineers unit, based behind the lines at Bruay, a large mining village in the Pas-de-Calais.
He ceased to be attached to this unit on the 26th February 1918.
Arthur spent a lot of time in and out of hospital over the course of his service, far more than is usual. He was hospitalised for various reasons including; varicose veins, influenza, pediculosis, an ankle injury, debility, rheumatism, general sickness and wounds. Finally, he died of endocarditis in hospital in Basingstoke, on 6 February 1919. His body was returned to his parents and buried in his family plot, at Horfield Parish Cemetery. His grave is now marked with a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone. Fact File: Unit and Regiment: 47th Battalion Canadian Infantry Rank: Private Service Number: 628703 Location of Grave: South of Church D.O.B: 28th October 1891 Trade/Calling: Painter Marital Status: Unmarried Height: 5ft 7 ¼ Inches Complexion: Medium Eyes: Blue Hair: Light Brown Distinctive Marks: Snake & Butte right forearm, Indian Head left forearm Religion: Church of England Date of Death: 6th February 1919 Age upon Death: 26 |