Alfred Ernest CHAPMAN

Alfred Ernest CHAPMAN Update Details

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CHAPMAN, Alfred Ernest

Service Number:	Officer
Enlisted:	29 March 1915
Last Rank:	Lieutenant Colonel
Last Unit:	18th Infantry Battalion
Born:	Burrell Creek, New South Wales, Australia, 6 October 1868
Home Town:	Crows Nest, North Sydney, New South Wales
Schooling:	Fort Street University, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation:	Stipendiary Magistrate
Died:	Rockdale, New South Wales, Australia, 14 September 1933, aged 64 years, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery:	Waverley Cemetery, Bronte, New South Wales Row 25, Section 9, plot #307-9
Memorials:

Boer War Service

1 Oct 1899:	Involvement Captain, 3rd New South Wales Mounted Rifles

World War 1 Service

29 Mar 1915:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Lieutenant Colonel, Officer, 18th Infantry Battalion
25 Jun 1915:	Embarked 18th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Sydney
25 Jun 1915:	Involvement 18th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: ''
15 Nov 1915:	Involvement

My Great - Grandfather, Alfred

When I was younger, I wanted to know more about the Anzac's and if any if my family members were involved in the conflicts. As I grew older my interest in my Ancestry grew so much to find that my great grandfather Alfred, wasnt just a soldier, he was an officer, and he commanded the Battalion that I believe started the success towards ending the war. He was in command of the 18th Battalion, stationed at what we now know as 'Hill 60'. According to his service records/dossiers, he had been summoned by his Commanding Officer, and was questioned as to why his men weren't ready to 'go again'. As I began to read on, it is my belief, that it was because of this questioning and then consequential delay, that allowed the men time to rest, replenish ammunition and rations. Because after this delay, the Battalion were able to gain ground on 'Hill 60'. However, it came at great personal cost to Alfred, as records would show that he 'Relinquished His Command'. He was then transferred to a medical ship, where he wrote several letters to his Commanding Officers, apologising for his conduct and requesting permission to be allowed back with his men. He even wrote several letters to the mothers of the fallen men, as he knew them to be good men, and great soldiers under his command.

Even the Anzac writer, Charles E.W. Bean, wrote an excerpt on Alfred, and how he disliked his conduct.

It is my belief, that Alfred was a pivotal officer in WW1, serving in Gallipoli, at 'Hill 60'. And rather than brushing passed the point that he 'Relinquished Command', it should be noted it was actually taken from him and he was punished for it. He put the welfare of his men, before orders and when he told his chain-of-command the reasons as to why... they punished him for it.

My family and I celebrate his life, and we remember his sacrifice and moral-fibre every Anzac Day... he will NEVER be forgotten!!!!

Virtual
War Memorial
Australia