Sergeant A. Roy Chappell

Allan Roy Chappell was born in 1917.

He enlisted into the 230th (West Riding) Field Company Royal Engineers on 9 October 1939. Sapper Chappell was part of a contingent force creating demolition belts, and employed in building and maintaining defences.

In 1942 Spr Chappell transferred to the 578th Army Field Company and was deployed overseas to Egypt. He was trained in mine laying and lifting before being hospitalized with dysentery.

In October 1942 he volunteered for Special Forces and transferred to the 1st SAS Regiment in Kabrit. On 2 November to 23 November 1942 he attended Number 4 Parachute Training Course.

In early 1943 Corporal Chappell instructed in demolition with HQ Raiding Forces, before being chosen as one of five engineers for the Special Raiding Squadron's Italian Campaign, which included Operation Husky, Sicily.

He returned to England in 1944 with the 1st SAS Regiment, and underwent further Parachute training at RAF Ayr in March. Acting Sergeant Chappell was the onsite demolitions specialist, preparing for French Operations.

Between 1944 and 1946 Sergeant Chappell went into France and Germany, and was preparing for deployment to the Far East before the surrender of Japan.

Sergeant Chappell was demobbed on 26 March 1946.

Roy Chappell died in 2005.