Alfred Warburton Chapman (Jnr)
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1890 |
| Place of Birth | East Brunswick, Victoria |
| Death | 2 Apr 1968 |
| Place of Death | Mt Hawthorn, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 25 years old |
| Description |
5'7¾" (1.72m) tall ; 131lbs 59.421 kg ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; dark hair |
| Occupation | Moulder |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Brooke road, Gosnells, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Alfred Warburton Chapman (Snr) |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 2054 |
| Date of Enlistment | 4 Feb 1915 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 1st Battalion, 5th Reinforcement |
| Date of Embarkation | 25 Jun 1915 ‒ 23 Jul 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A40 Ceramic |
| Date of Return | 25 Jan 1919 ‒ 3 Mar 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A40 Ceramic UK to Sydney |
| Fate | Wounded in Action 23 Jul 1916 at Pozieres |
| Monument | none as yet |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
During 1912 Alfred married Emily E Phipps who died in 1930 ?
War Service
Alfred Junior enlisted at Liverpool in New South Wales.
Taken on strength by the 1st Battalion at Gallipoli on 5 Aug 1915 along with 141 others just as the battalion prepared to take its place in the battle known as Lone Pine on 6 Aug 1915. The reinforcements were thrown into the affray in the late afternoon, and held the ground until relieved by the 7th Battalion on 7 Aug 1915.
On 28 Dec Alf disembarked in Alexandria from HMT Huntsgreen. A period of consolidation, retraining and then the AIF was reformed into 4 Divisions from the existing two, plus reinforcements took place in Egypt. On 22 Mar 1916 the battalion boarded HMT Ivernia for Marseilles, disembarking there on 28 Mar 1916. Like all others, they were sent by train in cattle cars (40 men per car) to the north of France.
The 1st Battalion was a part of the attack on the ruined village of Pozieres commencing 12:30pm on 23 Jul 1916. They quickly overwhelmed the front line of the German defence and established themselves between the village and a ridge to the north. Early next morning the Germans counter attacked without success and after they were reinforced with men from the 2nd Division during the evening of 24 Jul 1916, a further three attacks by the Germans were beaten off. The Germans then commenced an incredibly heavy bombardment of the town and its surrounds held by the Australians. At some point during this time Alf was wounded with a gunshot wound to the left hand.
Seen first by the 2nd Field Ambulance on 23 Jul 1916, then the 44th Casualty Clearing Station before being placed on Ambulance Train No. 27 for the 23rd General Hospital in Étaples where he was admitted on 24 Jul 1916. Alf was evacuated to England from Calais on 1 Aug 1916 aboard HMHS Brighton. In England he was admitted to the 2nd Western General Hospital in Manchester on 2 Aug 1916 before transferring to the Saddleworth Military Hospital in Greenfields on 14 Aug 1916. Released to furlough between 16 and 30 Nov 1916, he reported to No.1 Command Depot at Perham Downs on 1 Dec 1916.
After a period with the Overseas Training Brigade, Alf returned to France through Southampton on 25 Sep 1917 and initially was employed by 4th Command Depot. He rejoined his battalion on New Years Day 1918 in the front line near Wytschaete in Belgium. The unit War Diary described the day thus: "Enemy attitude quiet - weather cold- freezing." Alf was one of 5 soldiers to return from hospital that day.
From 28 Aug - 6 Sep 1918 Alf enjoyed leave in Paris, and then on 25 Sep 1918 he was granted leave in the UK, rejoining the battalion in France on 14 Oct 1918. On 12 Dec 1918 he visited the 1st Field Ambulance, unwell and was sent on to the 55th Casualty Clearing Station two days later with Pleurisy. On 16 Dec 1918 he was admitted to the 83rd General Hospital in Boulogne, before being released on 21 Dec 1918 to the 1st Convalescent Camp. On 8 Jan 1919 he returned to the UK through Southampton, and as an early 1915 enlistment was very quickly returned to Australia.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1931 Beaufort street, Maylands, moulder; 1943 at 85 Havelock street, West Perth, moulder; 1949 - 1963 at 74 Boulevarde, Mt Hawthorn, moulder
Notes