COMPANY SERGEANT-MAJOR EDWARD CHAPMAN VC, BEM, THE MONMOUTHSHIRE REGIMENT, HAS DIED, AGED 82, ONE OF THE LAST VCs AWARDED TOWARDS THE END OF WWII. |
---|
The Times, 5 February 2002 |
The death has been announced, on 3rd February 2002, of Company Sergeant Major Edward Chapman VC, BEM, at New Inn, Monmouthshire. He was later buried in Panteg Cemetery, New Inn. |
On 2nd April 1945, the 3rd Monmouths began what were to develop into repeated - and costly - attacks on the thickly wooded ridge of the Teutoberger Wald. This symbolic forest was being held by a fanatical dedicated force of German officer cadets and their instructors from the Officer School in Hannover, who were making a last stand.
For the award of the Victoria Cross [ London Gazette, 13 July 1945 ], Teutoburger Wald, Germany, 2 April 1945, Corporal Edward Thomas Chapman, 3rd Bn, Monmouthshire Regiment.
On 2nd April 1945, a Company of the Monmouthshire Regiment crossed the Dortmund- Ems canal and was ordered to assault the ridge of the Teutoberger Wald, which dominates the surrounding country. This ridge is steep thickly wooded and is ideal defensive country. It was, moreover, defended by a battalion of German officer cadets and their instructors, all of them picked men and fanatical Nazis.Edward Chapman was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George VI at Buckingham Palace on the 31st July 1945. Edward Chapman was a successful breeder of Welsh Mountain Ponies and he was a familiar figure at successive Royal Welsh Shows. His other passion was fly-fishing, fishing in rivers, streams, lochs and lakes all over the United Kingdom. Missing the Army, he rejoined the 2nd Monmouths in 1948, and was awarded the BEM in 1953 for his outstanding services to the Territorial Army. He retired from the TA in 1957 as a much respected company sergeant-major. |
Iain Stewart, 5 February 2002