CHAPMAN, Wilfred Shepherd
| Service Numbers: | 1626, 1628 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 35th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Berrima, New South Wales, Australia, 7 July 1888 |
| Home Town: | Merewether, Newcastle, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Railway fettler |
| Died: | Died of wounds, Belgium, 2 October 1917, aged 29 years |
| Cemetery: |
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Haymarket NSW Government Railway and Tramway Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 1 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 1626, 35th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 1626, 35th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Benalla, Sydney | |
| 2 Oct 1917: | Involvement Lance Corporal, 1628, 35th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 1628 awm_unit: 35th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Lance Corporal awm_died_date: 1917-10-02 |
Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board
Wilfred Shepherd CHAPMAN, (Service Number 1628) was born on 7 July 1888 at Berrima. He first worked for the NSW Railways in the Per-Way Branch as a labourer in the Northern Division from September 1907 until February 1910 when he resigned, for a day, and then continued in the role for another two months, before resigning again. When he worked again, two months later he was described as a lifter and packer, and then a fettler. In 1912 he was at Burren Junction, then Murrurundi to Werris Creek, Moree to Garah, and Stroud Road. After February 1915, when he was given leave to join the Expeditionary Forces, his nominal work location was the Northern Division. At the time of his enlistment, on 14 January 1916, Wilfred Chapman was married, to Daisy.
For a month in January and February 1917 he was attached to the Railway Construction Depot, West Capell, France. and then on 5 June promoted to Lance Corporal.
Two days later he was wounded in action with a gunshot to his face and shoulder. The next two months were spent in hospital and convalescent depots at Wimeraux, Boulogne, and Rouelles. He re-joined the unit on 28 August, but only a month later was wounded again. The machine gun bullet wound to his right leg was so serious that it was amputated, but it was to no avail and he died in Belgium the next day, 2 October 1917.
Submitted 23 May 2023 by John Oakes
Biography contributed by John Oakes
Wilfred Shepherd CHAPMAN, (Service Number 1628) was born on 7th July 1888 at Berrima NSW. He worked for the NSW Railways in the Per-Way Branch as a labourer in the Northern Division from September 1907 until February 1910. Then he resigned for a day! Then continued in the same role for another two months! Then he resigned again! When he started working again two months later he was described as a lifter and packer, and then a fettler (maintaining the track). In 1912 he was at Burren Junction, then the section of track from Murrurundi to Werris Creek, then Moree to Garah, and then Stroud Road (near Dungog) . After February 1915, when he was given leave to join the Expeditionary Forces, his nominal work location was the Northern Division. At the time of his enlistment, on 14th January 1916, Wilfred Chapman was married, to Daisy.
He left Australia through Sydney on HMAT ‘Benalla’ on 1st May 1916. He reached Plymouth in England on 9th July. After further training he transferred to the 35th Battalion and was sent to France. For a month in January and February he was attached to the Railway Construction Depot, West Capell. This would have been because of his track maintenance work on the NSW Railways. On 5th June he was promoted to Lance Corporal.
Two days later he was wounded in action with a gunshot to his face and shoulder. The next two months were spent in hospital and convalescent depots at Wimeraux, Boulogne, and Rouelles. He re-joined the unit on 28 August. Only a month later he was wounded again. The machine gun bullet wound to his right leg was so serious that it was amputated,. He died in Belgium the next day, 2nd October 1917.
He was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, 1¾ miles S.W. of Poperinghe, Flanders, Belgium.
- based on notes for the Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board
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