On 3^rd of August 1891 at St Mary’s Church, Rushden, Thomas Edward Chapman aged 20, son of Job, married Louisa Emma Partridge aged 18, daughter of Jesse. Both were working in the shoetrade.

In 1901 they were living at 20 Denmark Road, with 4 children. Frank was born in 1892, Alice in 1894, Harry in 1896, and George in 1900. By 1906 they moved to Avenue Road, Court Estate, where Thomas had built a fine new house. Another son Edward was born in 1909.

In 1910 Frank began his window cleaning business and soon Thomas worked with him.

Emma, son Edward and Thomas Edward c1914

Chapman Family c1925 back row: George Chapman, Edward, Thomas Edward, Arthur Berrill, Frank Chapman front row: Connie with Daisy, Jimmy, Emma Louise with Jack, George, Alice Berrill with Len, Dick, Kate (Kit) with Ted, Dorothy (Doll).

In 1941 they celebrated their Golden Wedding with the family, but no cake, due to wartime shortages.

Thomas Edward was buried in grave H 89 on 9^th March 1946, aged 75. Emma had gone to Leicester to live with her youngest son, Edward and when she died on 28^th Sept 1950, and on 2^nd October 1950 she was buried alongside Thomas, in grave H 88.

Probate: Chapman, Louisa Emma of 121 Park-road, Rushden, widow, died 28 Sept 1950 at Fosse-road-south Leicester. Probate granted London on 5^th Feb 1951 to Edward Charles Chapman grocer and George Chapman shoehand. £300 14s. 5d.

l-r Dick, Jack and Ted - taken when they all happened to come home on leave at the same time.

Frank Chapman married Kate Emery in 1920. Kate was born at Far Cotton, Northampton, as was her daughter Dorothy, then aged 4.

Kate was the daughter of Harry and Annie Emery, and Harry was a railway engine driver, born at Goldington BDF. They had been married for 26 years and had 5 children, one of whom had died when the 1911 census was taken. Three daughters were at home, Kate aged 20, Nellie aged 13, and Elsie aged 11.

Frank

Frank and Kate returned to his business, started in 1910, as a window cleaner, and advertised his return from the war. They had three sons, Charles Henry born 29th April 1921, at Yelden BDF, Edward Frank (Ted) born 24th June 1922, and Jack Thomas born 24th January 1924.

Living first at Yelden in 1921, they had moved to 85 Trafford Road by January 1924. Jack later told his wife that his mother, Kate, had a difficult time giving birth and consequently he was badly bruised. The doctor attending the birth thought Jack had little chance of survival. He instructed the lady caring for Jack's mother to leave him at the bottom of the bed unclothed and was certain Jack would die within a short time. However his Mother woke during the night, found him, wrapped him in a blanket and cuddled him in bed with her. He survived with no ill effects, much to the Doctor’s surprise; he would shake his head in amazement whenever he saw Jack in the following years.

The boys all attended Newton Road Infant school. When Jack was aged 7, the family moved to 48 Harborough Road to run a shop, and Jack moved to South End School. His older brothers preferred to remain at Newton Road, for another year but then transferred to South End.

Their address was 121 Park Road when all three boys enlisted. Dick on 3^rd Oct 1941 as A/C2 C.H. (Dick) R.A.F.V.R. R.A.F. He formerly worked with his father in his window cleaning business.

Jack on 20th Nov 1942 as Ord. Sig. Jack T. with R.N.V.R. into the merchant navy. Jack later married Gladys Duffin, daughter of Albert. He died 12th Sept 2003.

Ted enlisted on 07 May 1943 as A.C.2 Edward Frank (Ted) with the R.A.F. He later lived at 89 Harborough Road, and died in December 2016. 

Dick was reported “missing” on November 13th 1943, after his plane had failed to return. In June 1944 Sergt. Wireless-Operator/Rear Gunner C. H. (Dick) Chapman, R.A.F., of Rushden, was officially presumed killed.

Frank died aged just 52 in 1944 and was buried in Rushden Cemetery plot H.48:-

In loving memory of a dear husband & father Frank CHAPMAN called suddenly away from our midst on Christmas Day 1944 aged 52 years. Always in our thoughts, not just today but every day. (vase) Baby John. (tablet laying flat in the grass) In loving memory of our dear son & brother Sgt Dick CHAPMAN WOP/AG missing from air operations Nov 13th 1943 aged 22 years. Reunited. From Mum, sisters & brothers.

Administration : Chapman, Frank of 121 Park-road, Rushden died 25 Dec 1944 at 9 Vale-street Kettering. Administration was granted at Peterborough on 16^th April to Kate Chapman, widow. Effects £258 16s. 5d.