Pontlottyn: Edward Chapman, one of Caerphilly's bravest heroes

Edward Chapman was born in Pontlottyn and was awarded the Victoria Cross

As Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday approaches, services are taking place at war memorials across the borough to honour those who have fallen.

It is a time to “remember the sacrifice of the Armed Forces community from the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth,” according to the Royal British Legion.

While many people may know about the Battle of the Somme or the Normandy landings, fewer people may know about the brave efforts of individual soldiers and officers – including those who came from just down the road.

These are the “giants” on whose shoulders we stand – as written in a poem by Darran Valley community councillor Eddy Blanche, from Fochriw.

One of those “giants” is Pontlottyn’s Corporal Edward Chapman – who received a Victoria Cross for his brave service during World War II.

Born in Pen y Graig, Pontlottyn, on January 13 1920, Edward Thomas Chapman worked as a miner at Ogilvey Colliery after leaving Fochrhiw School at 14.

Mr Chapman was one of only two Welsh infantry soldiers awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious military decoration, for his actions near the Dortmund-Ems Canal, in Germany, with the 3rd Batallion, Monmouthshire Regiment in 1945.

Here, he single-handedly fought off advancing Nazis under heavy fire, protecting his isolated unit.

He even carried his wounded commander to safety and took a sniper’s bullet.

There is a memorial garden in Pontlottyn in honour of Edward Chapman

His service and heroism inspired a memorial garden in Pontlottyn, which opened in 2010.

It also inspired Cllr Blanche to pen a poem in his honour called “On the Shoulder of Giants”.

Cllr Blanche told Caerphilly Observer more about what inspired him to write the poem and said: “I came across his name one day by chance and saw he had been awarded the VC.

“I was astounded by his bravery and disheartened that people I spoke to did not know about him even though he was from the next village.”

Cllr Blanche has been interested in poetry since he was young but began writing more in his adulthood, penning other poems, including one for the 75th anniversary of D-Day called ‘Off to the Beach’.

He continued: “I wrote the poem as a tribute and to let others know about the brave people who lived amongst us.”

Edward Chapman received one of the last Victoria Crosses of World War II, which was presented to him by King George V at Buckingham Palace on July 31, 1945.

Mr Chapman died in 2002. You can read his full story in an extract from the London Gazette printed on July 13, 1945.

On the Shoulders of Giants

On the shoulders of giants we do stand and we give them not a thought
On the shoulder of giants we do stand and we know of them but nought
So here is a story to be told ‘bout a man two decades old
He left our valley to cross the sea with not a thought of what came to be

Edward “Ted” Chapman the lad was known as soon he would be far from home
Off to France with his gun now he’s off to fight the Hun
Then through France to Holland too but there was still more to do
Over onto German shore could we really win this war

Then that day spring ‘45 when from a man this giant rise
For when machine gun fire came fear could take you there’s no shame
But this man he pushed on though because he knew what he could do
A Bren gun it soon came to hand and he had to take a stand

Protect his brothers is what he must as they in him had placed their trust
So on the floor his ammo low it was time to put on a show
With grenades they tried to make him stop but he just climbed up on the top
Bren gun firing from the hip he had no time to take their lip

Back they ran and many fell this Valley boy had brought them Hell
But they regrouped and back they came and so to retreat but with no shame
But even as he ran on back he carried wounded on his back
No time to rest that ridge to take and that they did make no mistake

With battle over and battle won they stand in awe of our giant son
For his bravery on that day a Victoria Cross did come his way
As the years they now have past his story fades it does not last
But now you know of his story and how our lad did bring us glory

On the shoulders of giants we do stand and we give them not a thought
On the shoulder of giants we do stand and we know of them but nought
On the shoulders of giants we do stand through them we stand tall
On the shoulders of giants we do stand we must remember all
Eddy Blanche

Paul Janes

Remembering one of the Rhymney valley’s bravest war heroes

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