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229986
Cpl. Ernest George Chapman
British Army 59th Brigade. Royal Field Artillery
from:Tottenham, Middlesex
Ernie Chapman went straight into the Army at the start of WWI at the age of 21. He was one of the guys that broke in the horses and trained them. When he went to France he had two horses - Boxing Day Mary and Walleye. Mary had killed a stable lad and was going to be destroyed, but Ernie took her and trained her. He took them both out to France and brought them both home again.
When he was out in the trenches he was mentioned in despatches many times. He was recommended for the Victoria Cross for the time he drove the gun carriage back across no-mans land with a wounded officer on the back under fire. Unfortunately, Ernie heard about it and went for a drink with friends and was late back. As he had fallen asleep it was not given to him and he received a punishment. He did get the 1914 star as they did if they survived from 1914 to 1918. Ernie was a soldier through and through and was proud to serve his country. Ernie was also a boxer at flyweight. He won many bouts.