Roy W. Chappell

Chappell entered military service during December 1915 as a private in the South African Cavalry. He then joined Inns of Court Officers Training Corps in England, and was commissioned a temporary second lieutenant on 17 June 1916. He also underwent pilot's training, receiving Royal Aero Club pilot's certificate number 3329 on 17 July 1916; on 24 August 1916 Second Lieutenant R. W. Chappell was appointed a Flying Officer in the Royal Flying Corps. In September 1916, he was posted to 27 Squadron RFC as a Martinsyde Elephant pilot. On 27 March 1917, Chappell scored a second "out of control" win while piloting an Elephant. He was withdrawn from combat during May 1917 and remanded to instructor duty at the Central Flying School. He was promoted to temporary captain and rated as a flight commander on 27 July 1917. In October 1917, he returned to the front as a flight commander and Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a fighter pilot in 41 Squadron. On 2 February 1918, Chappell destroyed a German Albatros D.V over Erchin and sent another down out of control. On 6 March, he drove down a Pfalz D.III fighter over Niergnies, and became an ace. Ten days later, he burned a German LVG reconnaissance two-seater over Brebières. A week later, on 23 March 1918, he sent down an Albatros D.V over Bourlon Wood. The next day, he drove down two Fokker Dr.I triplanes for his eighth and ninth wins. The following mid-morning, he destroyed an Albatros D.V over Sailly. There would be one final victory on 16 May 1918; a German reconnaissance machine was sent down out of control southeast of Arras. Chappell carried his rank of temporary captain over into the new Royal Air Force on its formation on 1 April 1918, although he was confirmed in this rank at some time thereafter. ==Post World War I==

On 28 October 1919, Chappell was granted a permanent commission in the Royal Air Force as a flight lieutenant, with his seniority in rank fixed as 1 August 1919. On 5 November 1919, he was assigned as a flight commander in the Air Council Inspection Squadron. On 11 February 1929, Chappell was assigned to Staff Duty with the Directorate of Operations and Intelligence. On 7 April 1931, he returned to staff duty at DO&I. In June 1931, he requalified as a Japanese Interpreter, First Class. On 1 July 1935, he was confirmed as wing commander. On 10 February 1938, he was a supernumerary at No. 1 RAF Depot. On 16 September 1939, he was appointed the deputy director of intelligence. He died on 7 February 1982, after a long retirement. ==Honours and awards==

;Military Cross T./Capt. Roy Williamson Chappell, R.F.C. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed the greatest skill and courage in leading patrols, with the result that during four days' operations the formations which he led destroyed 19 enemy aeroplanes and drove down several others, the fate of which was not observed, owing to the intensity of the fighting. He has destroyed altogether five enemy machines, and has driven down seven others out of control. ==Endnotes==