Linda Gowans has submitted the following:-
The 1911 census for Saddler Street, St Nicholas, Durham, showed Joseph Chapelow senior, born East Cowton, Yorkshire, 1853, Inn Keeper’s Manager, his wife Alice, born Barnsley 1852, Inn Keeper’s Licence Holder, son Victor Louis, born Durham 1887, Postal Clerk, and Evelyn Portway, born Durham 1891, Servant. One of three children not at home was their son Joseph, who on August 11th 1909 had married Ethel Williamson at St Oswald’s Church, Durham. The 1911 census for 8 Greta Terrace, Sunderland, showed Joseph, born 1881, working as a Draper’s Assistant, his wife Ethel, born 1884, and widowed aunt Frances Jane Embleton, born 1878, all from Durham. Daughter Gladys Muriel died in September 1911 aged five months. A son, Norman, was born to Joseph and Ethel in Sunderland in March 1913.
Despite his age and circumstances (conscription was not introduced until the Military Service Act of January 1916, and not extended to married men until May of that year), Joseph enlisted at Sunderland on November 24th 1915. He was still at 8 Greta Terrace. He was 5' 8½" tall, 34 years 1 month old, and was a Shop Assistant (Buyer). (A document from the time of his death states ‘Furniture Buyer’, so he had left the drapery business.)
Joseph was placed in the Army Reserve until mobilised in 1916. A medical report passed him only as ‘Fit for Field Service at Home’ and he was posted in July to the West Riding Regiment’s depot at Halifax. In early 1918, though, he was declared ‘Fit for Foreign Service’, and on January 31st posted to France. Next day he went from Folkestone to Boulogne, and then to the front to take part in the battles against the German Spring Offensive.
His Battalion’s War Diary for May 6th records relieving a unit in the line. Next day, at Bellerive, four miles north-west of Béthune, after a quiet day they came under shellfire from 9.30 pm to 11 pm. This was the day when Private Chapelow was killed. He is buried in a countryside cemetery near Béthune.
Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC record: Son of Joseph and Alice Chapelow of Durham; husband of Ethel Chapelow of Harlow House, Durham Road, Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham.
Joseph Chapelow is remembered at Sunderland on S140.009, S140.010, S140.048 part 4, and S140.048 part 7 and at Durham on D47.009 and D47.048
