Alfred Warburton Chapman (Snr)
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1870 |
| Place of Birth | Melbourne, Australia |
| Death | 21 Nov 1936, aged 75 |
| Place of Death | Lemnos Hospital, Shenton Park, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 44 years, 10 months |
| Description |
5'8¼" (1.73m) tall ; 146lbs 66.224 kg ; medium complexion ; grey eyes ; grizzled dark brown hair |
| Occupation | Clerk of Works |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Brook road, Gosnells |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Emily Chapman |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 8563 |
| Date of Enlistment | 3 Aug 1915 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 6th Field Artillery Brigade, Ammunition Column |
| Date of Embarkation | 22 Nov 1915 ‒ 21 Dec 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A34 Persic |
| Date of Return | 13 Feb 1917 ‒ 3 Apr 1917 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A24 Benalla Plymouth to Fremantle |
| Fate | Returned to Australia (medical) |
| Monument |
Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll Gosnells Ward Honour Roll |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Previously service with the Garrison Artillery for 20 years.
Electoral roll entries: 1912 at 129 Brown street Perth, carpenter; 1914 Canning subdivision;
War Service
Entered camp on 16 Aug 1915 and on 1 Sep 1915 was allocated to Artillery, specifically the 6th Field Artillery Brigade. Would have been sent to Broadmeadows camp in Victoria for specialist training and from there sailed for Egypt on 22 Nov 1915 aboard HMAT A34 Persic and disembarking at Suez on 21 Dec 1915.
On 10 May 1916 Alf was transferred to the 22nd Field Artillery (Howitzer) Brigade's 21st Field Artillery Battery. He travelled with them to France, leaving Alexandria on 17 Mar 1916, and arriving in Marseilles on 23 Mar 1916. Alf was promoted Bombardier on 16 Jun 1916.
On 17 Jul 1916 he was admitted to the 14th Stationary Hospital in Boulogne with suspected acute nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys). Evacuated to the UK from Boulogne aboard HMHS Cambria on 8 Aug 1916 and admitted to the War Hospital Bradford the next day. Released to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital on 5 Oct 1916 and then to duty on 7 Dec 1916 he was sent to the No.2 Command Depot at Weymouth where it was determined to send him home.
Discharged by the 5th Military District on 9 Aug 1917. From 7 Jan 1918 Alf's pension was increased to 68/- fortnightly ($6.80); and his wife Emily Elizabeth's to 34/- ($3.40) per fortnight. This was double the original rate granted on 10 Aug 1917.
Post War
In 1916 Emily had moved to ! Canterbury terrace, Victoria park; and they were there after Alf's discharge; 1925 at 35 Sixth avenue, Maylands, Alf a joiner and Emily a shop keeper. Emily died on 9 Oct 1930 aged 60. Alf died in Lemnos Hospital, Shenton Park - a hospital specifically built to service the needs of WW1 returned servicemen suffering with mental illness and shell shock.
Notes