Tasmanian War Casualties

WW1

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Chappell, Percival Charles

Born 10^th June 1890 Hobart Tasmania to John William and Alice Chappell (nee Stewart) a carpenter who embarked Sydney 9^th November 1915 on board “HMAT Beltana” with the 3^rd Field Company Engineers

He was killed in action 23^rd July 1916 at Pozieres and is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.

Mrs. Chappell, mother of Sapper Percy Chappell of the Field Engineers, well known in Hobart as a member of the Mercantile Rowing Club, has just received a letter from Sapper Alan Cuthbertson also of Hobart giving her some information as to the manner of her son's death. The letter was written from England on November 5 last. Sapper Cuthbertson says:

"Percy and I knew each other in Hobart, so when he joined us in Egypt we became great pals. We worked together at the Somme and at about 12 o'clock on the night of July 21 and as we were having a spell just behind the front line, six of us were wounded and Percy and several others of the section helped to carry us down to the dressing station. It was at the dressing station that I last saw Percy, and as he was leaving us to go back to the trenches he came over to me, and shook hands, wishing me all sorts of luck. I received the sad news of his death when I was in England and I believe he was killed along with another of our chaps that very night as soon as he reached the section. The chap who told me about him says that he was killed instantly and suffered no pain at all. I cannot explain how sorry I am for you, Mrs. Chappell, in losing such a fine boy as Percy, but he did his duty, and died a hero in one of the biggest battles the Australians have had to fight. I have recovered from the wounds I received but I am sorry to say they have left my right arm almost useless and I am shortly to return home I believe. I wonder if you know Jack Owen who lived opposite to your place in Hobart. He was a great pal of mine. I inquired after him this week and the authorities told me he had been roported missing in France since August 4 so the only hope is that he may be a prisoner of war in Germany."

The Mercury 11^th January 1917

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Tasmanian War Casualties, Honouring the past, building understanding.