Corp P H Chapple (1886 – 1914)

Philip Henry Chapple was born in Rusholme, Manchester where his father, Philip, was a police officer. His mother, Mary, was from Ludlow and, at some point before the 1901 census, Philip Henry moved to live with her relations there.

Philip may already have been serving as a soldier at the start of the war: he went to France with the British Expeditionary Force (The ‘Old Contemptibles’) on 14th August, 1914 – just ten days after the Declaration. As a soldier in the 2nd Battalion Connaught Rangers he may have fought at the Battle of Mons. He went missing on 19th September, 1914 during the preparation for the Actions on the Aisne Heights. He is commemorated on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial to the men of the BEF who have no known grave.

Philip married Ethel Elizabeth Fryer (from Alveley) in 1912 and the couple lived in Wyken. They appear to have had two daughters, Ethel and Phyllis.

Corp Chapple, 8341, was awarded the Victory and British Medals and the 14 Star.

[Revised 26/3/2016]