The Airmen's Stories - P/O A K Chappell

Alan Kingsley Chappell was born on 23rd May 1914 at Ainsdale near Southport, Lancashire. He was educated at Marlborough College and went on to work for a London advertising agency, doing market research.

In December 1937 Chappell joined the RAFVR as an Airman u/t Pilot and began his weekend flying at 13 E&RFTS White Waltham. He was called to full-time service on 1st September 1939 and was posted to No. 1 ITW Cambridge on 10th November.

Chappell moved to 12 FTS Grantham on 30th December and on completion of the course went to No. 1 (C) OTU at Silloth to convert to Blenheims.

He joined 236 Squadron at St. Eval on 15th August 1940, a Coastal Command squadron, operating with Fighter Command on long-range fighter and reconnaissance sorties in Blenheim Mk. IVs.

Chappell was posted to 413 Squadron at Stranraer on 7th July 1941 but he left on 5th August to join the AACU at Gibraltar. He served with them from 14th September 1941 until 28th August 1942, when he returned to England.

On 12th September Chappell joined the staff at 3 School of General Reconnaissance at Squires Gate. He did a Beam Approach course at No. 1 BATS Watchfield in late October and returned to Squires Gate.

He was there until 13th June 1943, when, in preparation for his second tour of operations, he was posted to 3 (Coastal) OTU at Haverfordwest to convert to Wellington Mk. XIVs.

Chappell joined 612 Squadron at Chivenor to carry out night anti-submarine and anti-shipping operations.

With his tour completed he left the squadron on 27th February 1944 to take a staff job at the Directorate of Accident Prevention at the Air Ministry.

Chappell was released from the RAF in November 1945 as a Flight Lieutenant.

He died in October 1993 in Colchester.