Richard Henry Chapman was born on 27^th October 1922, the youngest of a family of three, with one brother and one sister.

As a child he attended church in West Norwood where he took on the job of pumping the bellows for the organ.

He went to work for a firm of London accountants and attended evening classes in accountancy after work.

When war was declared he joined the West Norwood Home Guard.

His work and exams for his accountancy qualifications were interrupted by call up, at the age of 19 in 1941.  He joined the Royal Corps of Signals, serving across Europe during World War 2

After demob in 1946 he went to work at the Crystal Palace Advertiser / South London Press, in the accounts dept, little knowing that his future mother-in-law worked there.

His hobby during this period was playing amateur football; eventually becoming the club’s treasurer.  It would seem that he was the last survivor of that team of players from the late 40’s to early 50’s.

He was invited to a dance in 1947 where he met Audrey with whom he had the last waltz.  They married on 19^th March 1949.  Their first home was in Streatham, then a house in Mitcham. Their daughter, Hilary, was born in 1951 and their son, Howard, in 1954. 

For 36 years he worked for the Pneumatic Rubber Stamp Company in Wandsworth, becoming the Managing Director and finally retiring in 1987.

During this time he attended St Olaves Church at Mitcham and for many years sat on the PCC.  He was one of the churchwardens for a few years.  He also began to help out with the local Scout group when Howard joined the Cubs. 

In his middle years Richard became a Mason, joining Torch Lodge, which was for gentlemen who had helped with work for young people.  He reached London Grand Rank after many years of dedicated service.

In 1988 Richard and Audrey moved to Aldwick. Here they joined St Wilfrid’s Church where Richard served in various capacities.

Until 2007 he was a voluntary member of the Executive Committee managing the Aldwick flats, where he was always ready to help anyone in trouble. He also joined Probus, and for fifteen years helped in the office at the Laburnum Centre.

In 1990 he had the joy of a granddaughter, Gabriella, being born to Howard. 

This year, in March, he and Audrey celebrated their 60^th Diamond Wedding Anniversary with a family dinner at a hotel in Bognor Regis.  They also enjoyed a celebratory reception in the Church Hall, given by their friends at the church.

 Over the years Richard made many friends; had enjoyable and memorable holidays abroad, and had many happy times with his family.

Hilary Gifford, September 2009

Recording from the Funeral Service at St. Wilfrid's Church 16th September, 2009 Funeral Service