Clara Edna Susan Chappell – fallen angel

The fallen angel with her broken arm and wing would have once been a majestic memorial standing close to the cemetery chapel. Now her predicament symbolises the sorrow of this grave and those buried here.

When Clara Edna Susan Smith married Joseph Llewellyn Chappell in 1895 they had a bright future ahead of them. Joseph, who had begun work as a 15 year old clerk in the GWR in 1884 where he worked for more than ten years, had recently set up in business as a cycle agent. His business would prosper, but sadly not so his personal life.

His wife Clara died in 1908 aged just 35, leaving him a grieving husband with two young sons.

Death of Mrs J.L. Chappell – The many friends of Mr J.L. Chappell, of Fleet Street, and Fernleigh, Park Lane, Swindon, will learn with deep regret of the death, at the early age of 35 years, of Mrs Chappell, and will sympathise with the bereaved husband in the irreparable loss he has sustained. The deceased lady, Mrs Clara Edna (Dot) Chappell, was born at Wootton Bassett 35 years ago, and spent all her early life there until she was married to Mr Chappell 13 years ago. She was the daughter of the late Harry and Edna Smith, who were old and respected inhabitants of Wootton Bassett. Mrs Chappell suffered a long and painful illness, borne with great patience, and she passed peacefully away at noon on Saturday last. Deceased proved herself to be an ideal wife and mother, and was devoted to her home, her husband and her children. She leaves a sorrowing husband, and two sons to mourn her loss. The funeral will take place on Wednesday next. The cortege will leave Fernleigh at 2.45 for St Mark’s Church, and will reach the Cemetery at 3.30 p.m. Will all friends kindly accept this the only intimation.

The Evening Swindon Advertiser, Monday, September 14, 1908.

And then the following year their younger son, Leslie Cyril, died aged 4 years old. He was buried with his mother in grave plot D7A.

Joseph never remarried. At the time of the compilation of the 1939 List he had retired to Bournemouth where he lived at Rosemount, Headswell Crescent with his housekeeper, Emily Mitchell, who had worked for him since those first sad years following Clara’s death.

He died on September 9, 1942. The publication of his will revealed just how successful his business had been and his generosity and affection for Swindon.

Swindon and Bristol Bequests

Mr Joseph Llewellyn Chappell, of 17, Headswell Crescent, Bournemouth, Hants., who died on September 9 last, left £31,551 8s 9d gross, with net personalty £30,318 9s 10d (Duty paid £4,174).

He left, in addition to several personal bequests: £100 each to Swindon Victoria Hospital; Muller’s Orphanage, Bristol; RSPCA, NSPCC, St Dunstans, Baptist Tabernacle, Swindon; Wesleyan Church, Swindon; Primitive Methodist Church, Swindon; the vicar and churchwardens of Christ Church, Swindon (for charitable purposes); and to Harry Haskins, for any purpose he may think fit for City Road Church, Bristol.