WILLIAM CHAPMAN

[Mum44]

Been directed here from chatroom.  I'm new on these boards, and I hope someone can help!
William Chapman - a soldier.
In Dec 1894 he married Ellen Reynolds in Kingston, Surrey.  He was of full age, his father's name was John. He (William) was "Corporal in 60th Rifles"
In 1898 he and Ellen had a daughter Florence Helen, born in Mauritius. Certificate says 1st Battn Kings Royal Rifles, William Chapman father, Sergt. no. 3825, officer registering birth 2nd. Lt Taylor.
In 1926 this daughter married Sidney Waller. William Chapman was by then deseased and his profession was given as Sergeant in 1st Royal Warwick Regiment.
Can anyone help me find where and when William was born and when he enlisted?  Why was he in so many different regiments?
What I have said above is all I know about him.

I hope someone can help me find his roots!

[toni*]

they don't look like they areon the 1901 census 

[Mum44]

Toni - no, I can't find them either on 1901 - they were probably still in Mauritius. Doreen - daughter of Florence and Sidney - only knows her mum was born in mauritius and her grandad was a soldier!  And so far, that's all I know too!

[toni*]

did Florence have any siblings ?

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[Mum44]

Toni - I don't think so, at least, none that I know of.
 
There seem to be three different regiments involved here - and far too many William Chapmans in the army!

I tried looking for a John Chapman, carpenter, (father's details from marriage certificate) but could only find 3, two of them didn't have a son William and the one who did, his William did not apparently join the army!

I can't believe he's proving so difficult to catch!  He must have been born between 1860 and 1865 I think, his wife Ellen was born 1865.

[neil1821]

Why was he in so many different regiments?

Hi,
The 60th Rifles and Kings Royal Rifle Corps were actually one and the same.
By the 1890s KRRC was the correct title, 60th Rifles was their title up to 1881. I guess old habits sometimes died hard when it came to regiment names.  

http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/060KRRC.htm

They were in South Africa in the Boer War at the time of the 1901 census.
http://www.regiments.org/deploy/uk/reg-inf/060-1.htm

I would guess he was perhaps discharged then re-enlisted in the 1st Royal Warwicks during WW1?

[neil1821]

He died in WW1
Here's the CWGC entry:
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=112312

 

And here's his WW1 Medal Card should you want to download it.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=1919994&queryType=1&resultcount=1

[toni*]

well done neil   

[Mum44]

Fantastic - I'm most impressed!

Incidentally, the family still live in Bristol. 

I wasn't too far out with his date of birth, c. 1860. So I'm off now to find a William Chapman b. 1860 whose father John was a carpenter  - 

I can't thank you enough - I've been staring at this wall for weeks! Doreen will be pleased too!

I'll let you know how I get on - Neil - how can I find his enlistment date?