Lance Serjeant John Chapman

Lance Serjeant John Chapman

There is little concrete information available on the life of John Henry Chapman. His headstone, in Amesbury Cemetery, Wiltshire, confirms that he was a Lance Serjeant in the Royal Garrison Artillery, and that he died on 19th December 1920.

John’s pension ledger gives his widow’s name, Caroline, date of birth, 25th August 1900, and her address, High Street, New Romney, Kent. It also gives a cause of death for John, who passed away from pneumonia.

The record for Lance Serjeant Chapman’s headstone gives his next of kin as Mrs C Chapman, c/o Mrs Savage, which would suggest that that was Caroline’s maiden name. The Civil Registration Marriage Index records the union of a John H Chapman to someone with the surname of Savage in the summer of 1920: the wedding took place in Richmond, Yorkshire, although there does not appear to be any direct connection between the Lance Serjeant, Caroline and the town.

There are no further clear documents relating to John Henry Chapman. He lies at rest in the peaceful anonymity of Amesbury Cemetery.


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