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This story was contributed by David Griffiths on behalf of Lieutenant Commander Arthur William Chappell, R.N. David Griffiths from whom full permission has been granted, and who is fully aware of the terms and conditions of the website. Would like to REMEMBER IN HONOUR: Lieutenant Commander Arthur William Chappell, R.N.

I would like to pay tribute to Arthur, who passed away aged 79 on 22nd April, 2003. Arthur served in the Royal Navy in World War Two and was a friend of mine who lived in the same road in the village of Stoke Gifford, Bristol.

I had a keen interest in the Royal Navy, which my father also served. I spoke to Arthur on many occasions, telling him that dad was on the D-Day landings on Omaha Beach R.N. with the Americans.

Arthur went on in the Royal Navy to gain the rank of Lieutenant Commander, serving in the ‘Flower’ Class Corvette HMS ROSEMARY.

When Arthur came out of the Services he captained the ferry from Aust to Chepstow for a period of time. He was a member of the Bristol Branch, L.S.T. and Landing Craft Association, which formed the honoured guard at his funeral.

I write these words for Arthur with pride, as he is no longer with us. His shipmates and friends will not forget what he did.

What follows is Arthur’s account of that fateful day, D-Day 6th June, 1944. He was on the American beach known as Utah, in charge of one of the landing crafts putting ashore hundreds of American troops.

Friend of Arthur, David Robert Griffiths

UTAH BEACH ON D-DAY A personal record, by Lieutenant Commander A.W.Chappell,

The journey was hampered by very bad weather. There were long delays with the troops in very cramped conditions. Then, with orders to go, we got to the beach; I dropped the landing craft doors; the jeeps, revving up their engines, sped out through the entrance, driving flat out up the beach, with all hell let loose around us.

I recall the noise of planes in the sky, and the whine of shells being fired, and the Navy firing their big guns from seven miles out, right over our heads.

The German shore defence batteries were shooting back at us. We could not believe their accuracy, we just lived in hope. Soldiers were going straight up the beach. I saw tremendous courage from the Americans coming ashore from the following assault waves. Sadly many lads never made dry land, being shot down or drowned by the weight of their packs in the sea. We then started to ferry out the badly wounded to a hospital ship; I did not stop all day, but kept going on.

The deck, which a few hours before had been filled with fighting troops and equipment were now stacked full with rows of stretchers, men whose invasion lasted a very short time now fighting to stay alive.

The crew occupied themselves with small talk, having a cigarette or a tot of rum, for those capable of taking it. On reaching the hospital ship we discharged our human cargo the best way we could. When these tasks were achieved we began to feel fatigued, tired and very hungry, realising we hadn’t eaten for almost twenty-four hours.

I know what it means now, to say that was certainly my longest day.

Lt. Cdr A.W.Chappell

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