Family will always be proud of Oldham Great War hero Jimmy

While Oldham prepares to honour its gallant World War One heroes on the centenary of the armistice on November 11, 2018, one local family will be commemorating the centenary of the “conspicuous bravery and endurance” of their grandfather on the battlefield a few weeks prior to the armistice, courageous actions which saw him awarded the Military Medal for his heroic endeavours.

Private No 373335 James “Jimmy” Herbert Chapman, of the 1/10th Manchester Regiment, grew up on from Henshaw Street in Oldham.

He served on the front line trenches in France during the Great War.

On October 20, 1918, in Briastre, France, he was No1 in a Lewis Gun Team which were ordered to push through enemy wire.

They started returning fire after being shot at from close range by the German enemy.

The citation goes on to state: “He successfully knocked out the (German) gun, killing the crew.

"Being wounded, he handed his gun over to the No2 and continued the advances, a matter of 1500 yards, as a rifleman, to the final objective where he bayonetted  several of the enemy.

"He only had his wounds dressed after the position had been consolidated.”

What was even more remarkable about his bravery was that, aged only 28, he had been married to his wife Alice for less than 18 months and had a nine month old son George to think of.

“Almost as amazing as his bravery was his modesty about it,” said granddaughter Christine Rooney (nee Chapman).

“I only learned about him being awarded his Military Medal 50 years after he died.

"As the World War One soldiers were based entirely around class, working class men could only be awarded the Military Medal, while the officers were awarded the Military Cross, for identical behaviour.

"But we are so proud to have a Grandad who has his own place in Oldham’s military history.”

The citation concludes: “This Private’s endurance and spirit was a great incentive to his comrades.”

Despite being injured in the encounter, Jimmy survived the war and lived until January 17, 1962.

He is buried in Chadderton cemetery with his wife Alice, who died in 1973.

They had three children, George (1918-1989) who was alive at the time Jimmy won the medal, Samuel (1920-1979) and Alice (1923-2006).

He has four surviving grandchildren, Christine, who as CEO at Cat-A-Tonic recently ran the cat café on Union Street in Oldham, and Patricia and Roger, who with Alice ran the Lees Heginbotham carpet business.

Eldest grandchild Cynthia now lives in Sheffield.

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