Albert Chappell

Albert was the son of James Chappell and his wife Cecilia (known as Celia) nee Kettleband. James Chappell was born in 1860 (J/F/M Radford) and Cecilia in 1865 (J/F/M Liverpool). They were married in 1890 (J/A/S Nottingham) and had seven children of whom only five survived childhood: James Edward b. 7 October 1889 (Nottingham), Lily b. 15 May 1891 (1891 A/M/J Nottingham), Maria b. abt 1893, Albert b. 26 October 1995 (Swinton Yorkshire) and Harold b. 4 January 1898 (Nottingham). In 1891 James (31), a framework knitter, and Cecilia (26), a box maker, were living at 9 Selbourne Street, Nottingham, with their son James Edward (2). By 1901 the family was living at 24 Mount Court, Mount Street, Nottingham. James (41) was now a bricklayer's labourer, Cecilia was still working as a box maker. In the home on the night of the census were theirfive children; James (12), Lily (9), Maria (8), Albert (7) and Harold (3)andalso James' widowed mother-in-law, Maria Rimington (formerly Kettleband). The family was still living on Mount Street, Nottingham, in 1911. Only four of the children were in the household on the night of the census: Lily (20), a box maker, Maria (18) and Albert (17) who were not in employment, and Harold (13) who was still at school. The eldest child James Edward, had joined the Royal Navy on 12 October 1907 at the age of 18 (SS2149 Ordinary Seaman). His last service date was 12 October 1912 and he transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve on 13 October 1912. His service document was annotated, 'Rendered meritorious service at wreck of SS Delhi, December 1911'. By the time of the outbreak of war the family home was at 16 Crown Street, Carlton Road, Nottingham. Albert's father and two brothers also served in the war: James Edward was mobilized on 2 August 1914 and was not demobilized until 22 February1919. Harold joined the Royal Navy (J37705) in April 1915 as a Boy 2nd Class and entered on a 12 year engagement on 4 January 1916, his 18th birthday. He was rated Able Seaman on 21 August 1917. His last ship was HMS Queen Elizabeth, during which time he 'ran' (deserted) and served 42 days detention as a consequence. He left the Royal Navy in 1919, 'services no longer required'. James senior attested on 29 December 1914 in the Rifle Brigade (150468 Private). He gave his age as 49, 'born about 1865', although by then he would have been about 54 years old. He served at home from 29 December 1914 until 30 December the following year when he joined the Expeditionary Force Egypt. He served in Egypt until 25 December 1916 then transferred to home service on 26 December. He was discharged from the army on 16 March 1917 after serving for 2 years 78 days, 'no longer fit for war service'. Albert's father, James, died in 1941 (June Nottingham) aged 81 and his mother, Cecilia, in 1955 (Jun Nottingham) age 90. Of Albert's siblings: James Edward married Elizabeth A Phillips in 1913 (O/N/D Nottingham). He died in 1963 (March Nottingham) aged 74. Lily married William H Keeton in 1913 (J/F/M Nottingham). She died in 1982 (June Nottingham) aged 91. Maria died unmarried in 1978 (June Nottingham) aged 85. Harold died in 1963 (March Nottingham) aged 74.

Albert was a town carter when he joined the Army in 1914 and a builder's labourer when he joined the Royal Navy in 1915.

2/5th Bn East Lancashire Regiment. Previously 3rd Leicesters (28974). Albert attested on 19 August 1914 in the Army Reserve (Special Reservists) giving his age as 17 years and 307 days. He served at home from 19 August until 28 November, 102 days. His record was annotated: 'Recruit’s training 19 August 1914. Charged 12 September 1914 for (1) Refusing to obey an order (2) Using obscene language to a NCO – 7 days CB. Charged 15 September 1914 (1) Irregular conduct on parade at 2pm (2) Offering violence to an NCO – 14 days CB. Charged 3 October 1914 for absent from Roll Call 9.20pm till 4.15pm, 6 October 1914 (2 days 18 hours) - 7 days FP No 2. Charged 8 October 1914 for (-) while undergoing field punishment – 2 days FP No. 2. Charged 19 October 1914 for using insubordinate language to his superior officer and then in confinement escaping – 42 days detention. He was held in detention in Aldershot until 26 November 1914 (6 days remission). His character was described as ‘bad’ and he was judged not likely to make an efficient Special Reservist and was discharged in consequence of misconduct and under para 154 (iii) (c) Special Reserve Regulations, (November 1914). Albert then joined the Royal Navy on 3 March 1915. He served in the following ships and shore establishments: Ships and shore establishments: Victory I, 3 March 1915-6 July 1915 (Ordinary Seaman), 42 days detention disobeying orders and obscene language; Victory I, 18 August 1915-27 January 1916; HMS Malaya, 28 January 1916-14 March 1916; 5 days cells; HMS Malaya, 20 March 1916-20 March 1916; 3 days cells; HMS Malaya, 24 March 1916-24 September 1916; 42 days disobedience and obscenity and discharged services no longer required (SNLR). He was released from prison (Inverness) on 2 November 1916. Albert finally served in the East Lancashire Regiment. He was reported missing on 21 March 1918 and later that year his family was informed that he had died a prisoner of war in Germany on 26 March 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial. Albert qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. HMS Malaya, 5th Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet (Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas's) took part in the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916. She was hit eight times and took major damage and heavy crew casualties. A total of 65 men died in the battle or later of their injuries. Among the wounded was Able Seaman Willie Vicarage, notable as one of the first men to receive facial reconstruction using plastic surgery and the first to receive radical reconstruction via the tubed pedicule technique pioneered by Sir Harold Gillies. Uniquely among the ships at the battle, HMS Malaya flew the red-white-black-yellow ensign of the Federated Malay States. (Wikipedia)

Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 18 November 1918 (abridged): 'Private Albert Chappell, East Lancashire Regiment, reported missing 21 March 1918, now reported died on 26 March, a prisoner of war in Germany. Father, mother, sisters, brothers.' Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father, James, was his legatee.