The Airmen's Stories - F/O C G Chappell

Charles Gordon Chappell was born on 7th September 1915 and joined the RAF on a short service commission and began his training on 7th March 1938. After completing his training he went to 2 AOS Acklington on 17th December 1938 as a staff pilot.

On 1st September 1939 he joined 52 Squadron at Alconbury, equipped with Fairey Battles. On the night of 3rd November he took off from Benson on a night training exercise and crashed through some trees, injuring himself and the other crew member.

Chappell volunteered to serve with Fighter Command in August 1940 and on the 5th he went to 5 OTU Aston Down. After converting to Spitfires he joined 65 Squadron at Turnhouse on the 19th.

He carried out four operational sorties with the squadron, on 4th, 12th, 14th September and 7th and 14th October. It is believed that he moved to 609 Squadron at Middle Wallop on 9th October 1940 but there is no mention in the squadron ORB.

His subsequent service is currently undocumented until Chappell was released from the RAF in 1945 as a Squadron Leader.

He died on 25th January 2006 in Manchester.