Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Roland was born at Wild Horse Plains on the east of St Vincent Gulf on the 15th May 1905 to Mary Elizabeth Chapman and William Solomon, a grazier. Roland, known as ‘Ro’ and his family lived on the North Arm Road at Woodville with siblings Melba Louise, Edna and Wilbur Lawrie, Cecil and Eric.
Tragedy stalked two generations of the family with heart breaking losses of young children. Roland was just six years old when his two-year-old brother, Wilbur was killed in an horrific accident while playing in the yard at the rear of their home in October 1911. An employee of his father visited in a horse and cart, leaving this unattended while he met with William. The untethered horse moved off, with the wheel of the cart rolling over Wilbur’s chest, resulting in instant death.
Less than four years later, Roland’s father, 42-year-old William died at home in June 1915, just days after Roland’s tenth birthday.
Post school, Roland worked as a butcher, announcing his engagement to Emily Sarah Akeroyd who also lived in Woodville in May ’32 and married in January the following year. They later had two daughters, Cecily June and Barbara.
Roland enlisted on the 25th November 1940, given the number SX10351 and placed in the 2/48th Battalion Reinforcements. On the sea voyage over to the Middle East he was promoted to Sergeant until the enlistees arrived in May ’41, in time for the offensive to take and hold Tobruk.
Further intensive training followed before Ro joined the then ‘veterans’ of the 2/48th.Living conditions were at best, primitive with flies, heat, minimal water and a repetitive diet. In an attempt to destroy morale, leaflets were dropped in the battalion, encouraging them to surrender and stop living like rats in their hand-hewn dugouts. Instead, the term was seized on as a badge of honour, with the men claiming the now highly regarded title of being Rats of Tobruk.
In December ’42 a mass was discovered in Roland’s right index finger. In less than a month he was placed on the seriously ill list with a carcinoma of the bowel and the diagnosis of being medically unfit. He returned home to face on-going surgery and treatment, beginning with the partial removal of his colon in February ’43. A dedicated recovery place for servicemen, Kapara Convalescent Home at Glenelg, provided a brief respite before Roland faced more surgery with the removal of his colon and associated surgery.
Roland’s health continued to be a concern for many months, with on-going medical attention until finally he had a ‘gastric investigation’ in December. From early January the following year, Roland was granted leave with pay while his health continued to be investigated. By mid-February he began intensive radiotherapy including at the Royal Adelaide Hospital before then being posted to the Whyalla Coastal Artillery service. He moved between the two sites as he undertook treatment for his Colon carcinoma over 1944. Inevitably Roland was ordered not to undertake any heavy lifting or marching.
With his health continuing to deteriorate, Roland was susceptible to upper respiratory tract infections and was hospitalised in September ’45 before finally being discharged on the 8th January ’46. Roland and Emily eagerly anticipated the arrival of their first son, Leigh Ronald, born in May ’47. Heart-breakingly, he died the same day. A second son, Lynn John arrived in mid ’51.
Just six years after being discharged, aged 46, Roland died in the Daws Road Hospital on April 17th 1952. His stoicism was evident in the tributes from his family published in the Advertiser.
Advertiser Monday 21 April 1952, CHAPMAN.— On April 17, at Daws Road Hospital, Roland (Ro), loved brother of Edna, brother-in-law of Harold and brother of Wilbur, Melba, Alma, Cecil and Eric (deceased) Rest after weariness. CHAPMAN.— On April 17, at Daws Road Hospital, Roland Howard, dearly beloved son of Mrs. M. E. and the late William Solomon Chapman, of 136 Hanson road, Woodville. In his 47th year. A patient suffered at rest. CHAPMAN.— On April 17 at Daws Road Hospital, Roland Howard, beloved husband of Emily Chapman, of 69 York place, Woodville North, and loving father of June, Barbara and Lynn. Aged 46 years. Late 2/48th Bat., 2nd A.I.F Privately interred. Roland now rests in the Cheltenham Cemetery Section E Drive B Path 29 Site 201S.

Emily and Roland’s precious 15-month-old son, Lynn John died in the Children’s Hospital in December that year and was buried with Roland.
Emily live to be 90 and died on the 26th November 2004. She now rests alongside Roland and their young children.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.