Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Ann CHAPPEL, of New Queen Road, Queenton, Queensland. Born at Charters Towers.

Burial Report regarding the Late 1844 Private Chappel

'The deceased soldier was accorded a military funeral and was the first Australian to be buried in the Fovant Parish hurchyard; his friend, Private Robert Simpson has since been buried next to him.  The Company has provided a permanent wreath and are erecting a stone cross.'

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in UK & Ireland”
 

Norman Chappel was born at Charters Towers, Queensland on 3rd June, 1889 to parents Thomas and Elizabeth Ann Chappel (nee Davis).

According to information provided by his father for the Roll of Honour - Norman Chappel worked for four years in Papua, New Guinea at his trade.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 31st January, 1916 as a 26 year old, single, Blacksmith & Mechanic from Queenton, Queensland.

Private Norman Chappel, Service number 1844, embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on RMS Mooltan on 12th April, 1916 with the 4th Pioneer Battalion, 2nd Reinforcements & disembarked at Suez on 18th March, 1916.

On 6th June, 1916 Private Chappel proceeded from Alexandria on Ionian to join B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force). He disembarked at Marseilles, France on 15th June, 1916.

He was sent to Hospital from 4th A.D.B.D. (Australian Divisional Base Depot) at Etaples, France on 22nd June, 1916. He was admitted to 26th General Hospital at Etaples on 22nd June, 1916 then transferred to Hospital Ship Cambria on 6th July, 1916 for England.

Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located in the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire. Later Training & Convalescing Units were combined under the one Command Depot.

Private Chappel was admitted to Woodcote Park Convalescent Camp at Epsom, England on 3rd August, 1916. He was discharged & proceeded on furlough from 14th September, 1916.

On 2nd October, 1916 Private Chappel reported back from furlough to No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs, Wiltshire. He was medically classified as B1 A.

He was marched out to D Camp Bov (?) at No. 3 Command Depot on 13th October, 1916.

Private Chappel was marched out from No. 4 Command Depot at Wareham, Dorset on 6th February, 1917 & marched in to Pioneer Training Camp at Larkhill, Wiltshire the same day. He was marched out from No.4 Company to No. 6 Company (Home Service) at Larkhill on 22nd February, 1917.

On 3rd April, 1917 Private Chappel was sent sick to Military Hospital, Fovant, Wiltshire. He was admitted to 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford on 17th April, 1917 (Non venereal) & transferred to Military Hospital, Fovant on 25th April, 1917.

(Note: 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Bulford, Wiltshire had a section for Venereal disease cases. Private Chappel’s Service Record file makes a note that he was admitted to this Hospital but not due to VD).

Private Norman Chappel died at 6.55 am on 7th May, 1917 at Military Hospital, Fovant, Wiltshire, England from Broncho Pneumonia.

He was buried in St George’s Churchyard, Fovant, Wiltshire, England where 43 other WW1 Australian War Graves are located.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/a---g.html