CHAPMAN, George William

Rank: 
Signalman
Unit / Base: 
Special Service (Commando) Group, Brigade, and Brigade Signals
Regiment/Corps: 
Royal Corps of Signals
Service: 
Army
Service Number: 
14220497
P.O.W. number: 
126823
Born: 
Friday, July 22, 1910
Birthplace: 
London
Died: 
1990
Place died or last resided: 
Sussex
Age: 
79
Sig. George William Chapman Special Service Brigade
Signalman George Chapman, Brigade Signals, was reported missing 25 December 1943, later reported to be a prisoner of war. He was involved in a reconnaissance raid along the coast of Gravelines, France, between Calais and Dunkirk, codenamed Hardtack 11.
Imprisoned initially at Stalag VIIA before being moved to Stalag XIA in April 1944. From there he was placed in Work Camps at Dessau until March 1945 and then Klitschmar. He escaped on several occasions including from Dessau on 16 June 1944 on a German troop train but was recaptured near Aachen after the train was searched. Escaped again from line of forced march away from Klitschmar work camp reaching Halle 12 April 1945 where he was hidden by two two local German girls until about the 18th. Returned to Klitschmar Camp and found about 60 others who had also escaped from the line of march. Helped to organise their exit from the camp reaching allied lines a few days later.
George William Chapman enlisted into the Armed Forces 2 July 1942 later volunteering for the commandos. Civilian trade on enlistment Departmental Manager (Production Factory Fur Trade), and member of the Edmonton Auxiliary Fire Service. Home address in 1939 was 51 Victoria Road, London N18. Member of the Commando Association last residing Arundel, Sussex. 
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/70, WO417/73, and WO417/94.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO392/1 (Stalag 11A).
Dir. of Mil. Int.: Liberated Prisoner of War Interrogation Questionnaire 1945/6 / National Archives file WO344/60/1.
German Record Cards of British PoW's / National Archives file WO416/62/390 (Stalag 7A).
The 1939 Register covering Edmonton.
Commando Association newsletter 91 (1990).
Account of the raid in the book '10 Commando', author Ian Dear.
[Image] His granddaughter Hayley Walton.
 
 

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