[1] His maternal grandfather, Pte George Green was among a group of soldiers of the Royal Welch Fusiliers killed in France on 14 September 1915 while laying a signal line to an outpost; he is buried in the Guards Cemetery at Windy Corner near Cuinchy.

[citation needed] After leaving school, Chappell briefly served an industrial blacksmith apprenticeship with 13 Command Workshop REME.

During his 22-year military career he saw service in Cyprus, Germany, Libya, Malaya, Swaziland, Ulster and various British garrisons.

His many years of military service actually wearing the kit and using the weapons gave him a unique insight in his illustrations.

Formerly a resident of Aldershot, Chappell lived in the village of Malras in France with his second wife, Marilyn until his death in August 2020.