Edward Thomas Chapman

Who was Edward Thomas Chapman?

Edward Thomas Chapman VC, BEM was a Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Ted Chapman was born in Pontlottyn, near Rhymney, the son of a coal miner. He left school at age 14 and like many of his generation followed his father underground at the Ogilvy Colliery.

He enlisted in April 1940 joining the Monmouths and seeing action from his regiment's landing at D-Day in June 1944 through the advance into north west Europe. He was wounded at Falaise in the breakout from the Normandy bridgehead.