Main CPGW Record
Surname: CHAPMAN
Forename(s): James
Place of Birth: Bainbridge, Yorkshire
Service No: 31388
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Manchester Regiment
Battalion / Unit: 21st (Service) Battalion. (6th City)
Division: 7th Division
Age: 22
Date of Death: 1916-07-01
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 13 A and 14 C.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: ASKRIGG, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: BAINBRIDGE, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
James Chapman was the son of Alexander and Mary Chapman, née Wood. Alexander was born at Bainbridge, Yorkshire and Mary at Turton, Lancashire.
1901 Bainbridge, Yorkshire Census: James Chapman, aged 6 years, born Borwins [near Bainbridge], son of Alexander and Mary Chapman.
1911 Bainbridge, Yorkshire Census: James Chapman, aged 16 years, born Bainbridge, son of Alexander and Mary Chapman.
The British Army Service Record for James Chapman exists but may be incomplete.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte James Chapman, 31388, Manch. R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte James Chapman, 31388, 25th Manch. Regt.; 21st Manch. Regt.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte James Chapman, 31388, 21st (S) Bn Manchester Regt. Date and Place of Death: 1-5.7.16. In Action. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - Alexander. £5 11s. 3d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for James. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mrs Mary Chapman. Relationship: Mother. Address: Bainbridge, Askrigg S. O., Yorks.
The informal title of the 21st (Service) Bn Manchester Regiment (6th City) was the 6th Manchester Pals.
A short biography of James is included in: ‘Wensleydale Remembered – The Sacrifice made by the Families of a Northern Dale 1914-1918 and 1939-1945’ by Keith Taylor (2004).
Data Source: Local War Memorial
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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---
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Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Manchester Regiment
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 7th Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
28 July 1916
CHAPMAN - Killed in action in France, Pte. James Chapman, Manchester Regiment, of Bainbridge.
28 July 1916
BAINBRIDGE - Bainbridge Soldier Killed in Action
News has just been received by his parents of the death in action on the 1st July of Pte. James Chapman, Manchester Regiment. The deceased, who was of a bright disposition and a conscientious lad, was in the employ of Messrs. Bagley & Chapman, wholesale meat stores, Manchester. He joined the Forces in November last, and, after being attached to the 21st Manchesters, proceeded to France in May of this year. He had been several times in the trenches and wrote cheerful letters home. Pte. Chapman is the 1st Bainbridge lad to fall in defending this country. His parents have received a number of letters of sympathy.
11 August 1916
ASKRIGG - MEMORIAL SERVICE TO PRIVATE JAMES CHAPMAN
A memorial service for Pte. James Chapman, son of Mr. and Mr. A. Chapman, Bainbridge, who yielded up his life during the early days of the big push, was held at St. Oswald's Church, Askrigg on Sunday evening. There was a large congregation. The Vicar, the Rev. F. M. Squibb, accompanied by a choirboy, carrying a draped Union Jack, proceeded to the Chancel step. A short lesson from Wisdom iii, 1-6, was read and the hymn 'Now the labourer's task is o'er' was sung. The 'Dead March' was then played on the organ; evensong up to the 3rd Collect followed. The vicar took for his text Ps. 124. verses 1-7. 'If the Lord himself had not been on our side,' 'Our help standeth in the name of the Lord'.
In the course of a most impressive sermon the vicar said, "Sorrow for the death of Pte. James Chapman was not unrelieved, because there was a sacrifice in it." "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lays down his life for his friends." And then there was our Lord's great compassion. Perhaps some of them had seen the great War pictures in which a young soldier wounded to death is lying at the foot of the Cross; his hand outstretched in faith is touching the foot of Christ and the Divine sufferer is looking down with tender compassion. Christ was still the same, and had the same compassion for them in their sorrow for the death of this young soldier who was the first in the parish to give up his life for them. There was also a call today to dedicate themselves and all their powers anew before God to the great task that lay before them at the commencement of the third year of the war. They must ever remember that it was God's battle, and only in so far as they remembered that their 'help was in the name of the Lord' should we and our Allies be successful. After the hymn 'For all the saints,' the Blessing was pronounced and the singing of the National Anthem brought a most impressive service to a close.
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