F/Sgt Leslie Chapman - 61 Squadron

Flight Sergeant Leslie Chapman (CGM) - 61 Squadron

Flight Sergeant Leslie Chapman (CGM) - RAFVR

Flight Sergeant Leslie Chapmanwas serving as Wireless Operator on board Lancaster Mk.I NF912 during an operation to Siegen on February 1, 1945. The aircraft left Skellingthorpe at 1542hrs and immediately after takeoff the port outer engine cut out. Squadron Leader Horsley succeeded in flying a very tight circuit with great skill and force landed on the airfield. As the Lancaster touched down there was an explosion and fire which killed six of the seven man crew, including F/Sgt Leslie Chapman.

The crew consisted of:

Name	Service	Trade	Hometown	Age
S/L Hugh Horsley - AFC	RAFVR	Pilot	York	28
W/O Henry Pyke	RAFVR	Flight Engineer	-	-
F/Sgt Samuel Fleet	RAFVR	Navigator	Greatham	22
F/Sgt Victor Merrow	RAFVR	Bomb Aimer	Preston	-
F/Sgt Leslie Chapman - CGM	RAFVR	W/Op/AG	Moulton Washway	23
F/Sgt Arthur Sherriff - DFM	RAFVR	Air Gunner	Bolton	35
Sgt R.T.Hoskisson - Injurred	RAFVR	Air Gunner	-	-

Flight Sergeant Leslie Chapman, RAFVR, CGM was the son of Ernest and Eva Ellen Chapman of Moulton Washway ,Lincolnshire. He won the CGM for steadfastly remaining at his post, despite being severely wounded, while on operations to Nuremberg on 30/31^st March 1944.

Further reading on the incident from which F/Sgt Chapman earned his CGM can be found in the article, Through the Bombsight.

Photo courtesy of the late Derek Patfield, research by Linda Ibrom.