William Chapman

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sun, 06/12/2015 - 13:30

First Name:

William

Last Name:

Chapman

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, January 18, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Lance Corporal

Unit:

1st Battalion

Company:

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Wednesday, September 18, 1918

Place of Death:

France

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Details:

William Chapman (Service No 6960) was born in Victoria around 1878.

When William enlisted he was living at Woonona, N.S.W. with his wife Mary, and employed as an engine driver.

William embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A24 Benalla with 23rd Reinforcements on 9th November 1916, and was promoted to acting Sergeant for the trip to England.

The troops arrived in England on 9th January 1917, and William reverted to Private on 5th April 1917 before being sent on to France. He joined C Company, 1st Battalion in France on 10th May 1917and served on the Western Front until he was admitted to hospital with trench fever on 8th August 1917.

He returned to his unit on 30th August but was back in hospital with a relapse from 2nd to 11th October 1917. He was again admitted to hospital with influenza on 30th May 1918 but back to his unit on 9th June 1918.

William was promoted to Lance Corporal on 8th August 1918.

On 18th August 1918 William was killed instantly by an exploding shell.

He is buried in Bellicourt British Cemetery, France: Plot I, Grave 11.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, CHAPMAN W