Robert Edwin Shipman was Chelmsford born and raised, and was a carpenter by profession. He joined the arm in 1941, the year he married. The couple had a son. He was killed at the Battle of El Alamein in November 1942.

Robert Edwin SHIPMAN, Trooper, Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps

Killed in action at El Alamein in Egypt. Aged 20

In 1941 Robert married Rosemary Louise Gowland (1918-2003) and that same year the couple had a son.

Late in 1941 Robert joined up and subsequently he served as Trooper 7951524 in the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps. Prior to doing so he had been a carpenter with the Chelmsford building firm run by Walter Wade.

On 2nd November 1942 Robert was killed in action at El Alamein in Egypt. At the time of his death Robert's parents were living at 2 Greenways in Chelmsford.

Today Robert lies at El Alamein War Cemetery in Egypt (grave XIX. C. 13).

Robert’s cousin, Cecil Ernest Shipman, was killed in 1941 when the Japanese conquered Hong Kong.

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Robert Edwin Shipman was born in the Chelmsford district in 1922, the youngest child of George Alfred Shipman (1885-1959) and Clara Mary Jane Shipman (nee Hobbs) (1885-1956).

Robert's parents had married at All Saints' Church in Springfield on 23rd July 1905, his father having come to live in Springfield late in 1897. Two years later Robert's father had begun to work for Wray and Fuller in Chelmsford. He was to remain with the firm for over 50 years, being manager from 1908 until his retirement in 1953.

Robert's siblings were Alice Agnes May Shipman (1905-1993), Sidney James Shipman (1910-2000), and George Alfred Shipman (1913-1986).

Robert was educated at the Kenmore College in Springfield Road in Chelmsford. He served his apprentiship as a carpenter with Messrs. H. Potter (William Sharp) Ltd. and later worked as a carpenter with the Chelmsford builder, Mr. W. J. Wade.