Buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery are three Northumbrian Gunner Officers;
1st Northumbrian Brigade RFA - Lt Veron Parker
315 Brigade RFA - 2/Lt Bert Berry
4th Northumbrian Brigade RFA - Major Charles Chapman
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| Lt Victor Parker 1st Northumbrian Brigade RFA |
The War History of the 1st Northumbrian Brigade RFA records in March 1916 ;
He went up the trenches to do his turn as F.O.O. on March 4th, after the show [Re-capture of the Bluff] was over. The weather was intensely cold, and snow lay everywhere. It was his first experience of front line work; he did not realize what he was going to have to put up with, and did not take enough warm things with him. Whatever the cause, he came back to the Battery with a severe chill, and died in hospital two days later.
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| Second Lieut. George Herbert Berry 315 Brigade RFA |
George Herbert (Bert) Berry was born in Alberta, Canada, 18th May 1894. He attended Upper Canada College Toronto from 1910 to 1912, then Toronto University where he was awarded a BA in 1915.
On completion of his degree, he enlisted into the Canadian Army Medical Corps as a private soldier. Berry joined No 2 Stationary Hospital in Lemnos, in the Aegean, as part of the Gallipoli Campaign. The unit moved to France in 1916. Bert Berry attended the Royal Field Artillery no 1 Officer Cadet School, St John’s Wood, commissioning in November 1916. He joined 315th Brigade in France in June 1916.
Second Lieutenant Bert Berry was carrying out the duties of a Forward Observation Officer when he received a severe abdominal wound whilst locating a new OP near Hooge Crater, just outside Ypres.
He was taken to no 10 Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Siding, where he died 3 days later on 9th March 1917, aged 23.
2/ Lieutenant Bert Berry is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.
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2nd Lt. George Herbert Berry 315 Brigade RFA |
An officer from his battery wrote;
A few weeks prior his death he was recommended for the Military Cross for bravery under fire, when he put out two burning gun pits and carried two wounded men to safety. He was never the least bit afraid and we have lost an officer who can never be replaced. I have been out here three years now and have seen many men go, but some how they weren’t like Bert. He was a clean manly chap and the Battery seems empty now; the men were all so fond of him because he was such a splendid section officer. Somehow I can’t realize it even yet and even when I stood by the little mound of earth in the cemetery it seemed unreal and that he would grip me by the arm in the old way and say, ‘Well, John, how goes it?’”
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| Major Charles Lancelot Chapman MC 4th Northumbrian Brigade RFA |
Like all his brothers, Charles played for Westoe Rugby club. Brother Frederick played for England and is credited with scoring the first try, first conversion and first penalty goal at Twickenham.
Charles Lancelot Chapman was commissioned into the 4th Northumbrian (County of Durham) (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery 2nd November 1911. He was promoted to Lieutenant in July 1913.
He mobilised with the 4th Northumbrian Brigade RFA in Augut 1914 at the start of WW1. He was promoted temporary Captain in November 1914. Captain Chapman deployed with the 4th Northumbrians to France in April 1915 .
His brother Robert , who would later command the Battery, the Brigade and ultimately become Honorary Colonel 74 (Northumbrian) Field Regiment was with him.
Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) CL Chamman was awarded the Military Cross (MC) in the New Years Honours list for 1915. His brother Robert was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
In spring 1916, Captain Chapman was posted back to England. He would return to the Western Front and by March 1917 was 2 I/C of D Battery 173 Brigade RFA, taking over command in the June. The Brigade was part of the 36th (Ulster) Divisional Artillery.
Major Chapman was wounded when a shell hit his dugout. He died of wounds 22nd August 1917 aged 25.
Major CL Chapman MC is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
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| Major CL Chapman MC 4th Northumbrian Brigade RFA |
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| NVAA Wreath |
