Walwyn T. Chapman, Terra Cotta Works, Cleethorpes 1913.

An advertisement cut from a 1913 publication. Walwyn T. Chapman’s terracotta work can still be seen all over Cleethorpes.

Walwyn Thomas Chapman (1864-1920) was a prominent industrialist and brickmaker active in Cleethorpes and Grimsby during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Walwyn was born in Cleethorpes in 1864. He was the son of Thomas Taylor Chapman, druggist, grocer, auctioneer and brickmaker, and Mary Ann Chapman (née Gooseman). Thomas’ Steam Brick Works was at Beaconthorpe and they lived in Cleethorpes Market Place. Mrs. Thomas T. Chapman lived at “The Hollies”, 46 St. Peter’s Road (Avenue) after Thomas had died in 1881. Now the location of Costa Coffee.

Walwyn Thomas Chapman married Mercy Morris at St. John’s Church, New Clee on 23rd April 1890. They had three daughters and one son and the family lived at “Elmleigh”, 50 St. Peter’s Avenue, now the Ocean Fish Bar.

Walwyn Thomas Chapman J. P. died on 14th June 1920. Mercy died in 1946. The couple are buried in Cleethorpes Cemetery. Mercy had lived at 92 Welholme Avenue, Cleethorpes.

Research by Grimsby & Cleethorpes Museum.

Note: Eric J. Chapman, the Grimsby Borough Coroner during the 1950s, was the nephew of Walwyn Thomas Chapman. In 1900, James Whiteley Wilkin and Ernest Benjamin Chapman, solicitors, entered into a well-known partnership. Ernest Benjamin Chapman was brother to Walwyn Thomas Chapman and Eric James Chapman’s father.