CHAPMAN, James Elfric


No.10380, Private, James Elfric CHAPMAN
Aged 20


2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment
Killed in Action presumed on Saturday, 1st July 1916


James Elfric Chapman was born in Weston Colville (Linton Q3-1889 3B:513) son of Francis Fuller and Gertrude Ellen CHAPMAN (née TAYLOR).

1901 census...Aged 4, he was at The Green, Weston Colville with his father Frank CHAPMAN [33] carpenter born Dullingham; his mother Gertrude E [31] born West Wratting; sisters Ida [9], Florence E [6] and Mildred J [2]. All the children were born in Weston Colville.

1911 census...Aged 11, Elfric was a farm labourer, at home at 65 Weston Colville with his parents; sisters Mildred and Annie [7]; brothers William [9] andGeorge [4]. The new siblings were all born in Weston Colville.


He enlisted in Colchester but must have been a regular as his medal index card (says he died of wounds) shows he was in France/Flanders by 22nd August 1914, but he has no clasp to the 1914 Star. As this was not instituted until 1919 and had to be claimed, it is likely never to have been claimed
Recorded as dying of wounds, but named on Thiepval memorial indicates that he was last seen to have been wounded and his body never identified.

The Battalion war diary is extensive but in summary, the Battalion, part of 12th Brigade, 4th Division moved forward from Bertrancourt to attack between Beaumont Hamel and Serre at 08:35. On the left of Serre Road they crossed the German line and then moved to right of Pendant Copse. Strong counter-attacks then forced them back to the captured Quadrilateral. By the evening the war diary has 22 officers and 400 men as casualties (25 officers and 606 men started the day).

CWGC records show 141 men killed on 1st, of which 91 have no known grave.



James Elfric Chapman is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial, pier and face 10D

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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