CHAPMAN, Major Duncan

Major Duncan Chapman

9th Battalion, AIF

45th Battalion, AIF

by Robert Simpson

Duncan Chapman was born in Maryborough on 15^th May 1888, one of twelve children to Robert Alexander Chapman and Eugene Maud Humphrey. He was the second last son and child in the family. Robert was born in Perthshire Scotland in 1842 and had moved to Queensland, where he met Eugene. She had been born in Sydney in 1849. They married in Warwick on 13^th November 1866. After living in Warwick for a while they moved to Maryborough. Eugene died on 11^th June 1893 in Maryborough. Oddly the births of some of their children are registered, but the rest including Duncan are not. At the turn of the century Robert was living in Fort Street and was a draper’s assistant. After retiring he lived in Bundaberg for a while and then moved to Torquay. Robert died on 10^th March 1919 and both are buried in the Maryborough cemetery. Robert’s parents both were born, lived and died in Scotland in Perthshire. Eugene’s parents were both convicts. Thomas Humphrey was transported for sheep stealing and Miriam Houghton was convicted of robbing her master. Thomas got life and Miriam 14 years. They married with permission on 12^th January 1843.

Duncan was educated in the local Maryborough schools, including Central State School (Boys’ Central School then). In 1903 he attended the Maryborough Grammar School after passing the trustees entrance scholarship examination. Apparently discipline was strict there. He then worked as an articled clerk in Morton and Morton, a local legal practice founded in 1874 and which still exists today. He did 6 months with Wide Bay Infantry. At some time he moved north and around 1910 was in Charters Towers and worked in a couple of local offices there. He did 6 months service with the Kennedy Regiment while he was up there. By 1912 he had moved to Brisbane and was living in Park Road Oxley and his occupation was a clerk as shown in the Electoral Rolls. Duncan was also the best man at a wedding there in 1912. In 1914, he was described as a Paymaster from Whytecliffe, Albion, Brisbane.

This house in Fort Street Maryborough was the boyhood home of Duncan Chapman when he was going to school at Central State School.

Duncan enlisted with the AIF on 21^st August 1914. He was allotted to C Company, 9^th Battalion. His application for a Commission in the Expeditionary Forces was dated 22^nd August 1914 and approved on 7^th September. It lists his Educational Qualifications s Grammar School (Maryborough) and his Military Qualifications as 6 months Wide Bay Infantry, 6 months 2^nd Kennedy Regiment and 3 years with 7^th Infantry. His present rank with them was that of Lieutenant. He was employed as a Paymaster and was born on 15^th May 1888 (26 years old). He was single and living at Whytecliffe Albion. Duncan was 5 foot 9.5 inches tall, chest measurement 35 to 37 inches, weighed 10 stone 10 pounds, and his vision was good. His next of kin changed from his father to his eldest brother through corrections. His terms of service was to be for the duration of the war and 4 months after. His active service form notes a middle initial of K, but this is not noted on other records, although he does sign a letter to a brother with D. K. Chapman and it is noted in a Maryborough article in The Queenslander about his death. (K could stand for Keith, but that is not proven).

Officers of the 9th Battalion aboard HMAT Omrah (A5). Second row from left: Lt (later Maj, 45th Battalion) Duncan Chapman.

The battalion embarked from Brisbane on HMAT Omrah A5 on 24^th September 1914. The battalion arrived in Egypt late in 1914 where they camped near the pyramids. They embarked on the Ionian to join the M.E.F. with the Gallipoli campaign on 2^nd March 1915 at Alexandria. At 2.45 am they were the first ones to climb over the side of the transport ship and down a rope ladder into lifeboats that carried them ashore. At 4.10 am their boat, which was a cutter from the Queen, was in front and about 300 metres from shore. As dawn broke they saw the dark coastline slowly emerge.

He landed at about 4.18 am and as Bean wrote “The first man ashore was probably Lieutenant D Chapman (of Maryborough, Queensland), 9th Battalion. Chapman was their platoon commander so he would have been first out of the boat.” The list of men in the boat are: Captain A G Butler, Lieutenant D Chapman, Lance Corporals F C Coe, T A Hellmuth and J C Henderson and Privates W Cleaver, E Coles, W A Fisher, F Y Fox, H R Hansen, C Holdway, W Jarrett, D Kendrick, B H Kendrick, W E Latimer, R M C McKenzie, S A McKenzie, W A Pollock, A H Reynolds, W J Rider and F Thomas. They were from Headquarters, A and mainly C Companies. 21 men in all. Even this list is in contention with a list published in The Courier Mail in 2005 of only 16 men, with James Dundee Bostock and Lewis Marthyn Thomas being additions, and six from the previous list missing. The newspaper said most survived the war with five being killed. They also say with Chapman being the platoon commander he would have been the first out of the boat. A newspaper article in 1990 states the “Fighting 9^th was the first ashore at Gallipoli” and the 9^th Battalion Memorial Museum holds three Gallipoli flags which were brought ashore with stores after the assault. One was carried by Duncan.

A Private Studley Gahan was reported in a paper saying that Joe Stratford was first ashore, Lieutenant Jones was second and he was third. Others said he jumped off the boat and went straight under with the weight he had on him, removing his pack he was able to struggle up the beach. At the AWM the army later recorded on its papers for the roll of honour, “Stated by eyewitnesses to be the first Australian ashore at Gallipoli.” On 7^th May 1915 Duncan was noted as being missing. Another letter from his C.O. stated on 28^th April he returned to his unit and was not missing. Notifications of him being wounded and then missing were sent to his father, which confused him and cause anxiety with the dates and he asked clarification. He said he received a note from Duncan on the 14^th May which said he had been fighting for 22 days since the famous landing of the 9^th Battalion. When the Battalion had a roll call five days later, 420 out of the 1100 who landed remained. On 7^th June 1915 he was promoted to Captain. On 5^th July 1915 the Reverend H Beasley of Bundaberg sent a letter to Base Records also asking about him being missing as his sister Florence (Wearne of Bundaberg) was concerned. The reply also stated that he had re-joined his unit from being officially reported as missing. His service records have a list which states he was wounded in action at the Dardanelles on 14^th May 1915, but then the wounded is crossed out and missing written in pencil. It also shows a confirmation was received and it was listed in error as wounded. The record lists that the relatives were told he was wounded but had not been told he was missing and not informed of the error. It also notes all correspondence and dates, but says he re-joined unit on 28^th April.

After receiving a letter from an older brother, Frederick James, at Gallipoli, whom he has not written to for years he sends a reply and was “pleased to do so at an early opportunity”. He describes the conditions he is in for his Headquarters, which is really a hole in the ground with some galvanised iron sheets on top to protect against shell and bullet and he wonders about its stability. Duncan goes on to write “Well we have been here now about 11 weeks & have pushed well onto enemy territory”. He goes on to say about the local papers giving splendid details of the landing and full accounts as censorship forbids him doing it. He then tells Fred “I happened to be in the first boat that reached the shore & being in the bow at the time I was the first man to get ashore. I was one of the covering party that had been chosen to go ahead & as our boat sneaked on in the early morning light many of us wondered who would be the first to go. It is a peculiar experience & one of extreme suspense to be crouched down in a small boat making towards a hostile shore not knowing the size of the force opposed to you neither being able to use your rifles (owing to the danger of shooting your own men) & then to suddenly come under heavy machine gun and rifle fire. Many poor chaps were killed in the boats & the deeds that were done in rescue work were beyond mention. Also the heroic advance of our fellows & the meeting with, & subsequent counter attack by their main body & the stolid resistance of our own 3rd Bde are now matters of history”. He mentions being promoted to Captain on 26th April and being in charge of 250 men. He also had to censor all their letters. He signs off with your loving brother Duncan. A letter to C. F Chapman (maybe Charles Thomas?) in 1915 also confirming him to be the “first man to put foot ashore on this peninsula.” He goes on to say “What a living hell it was too, and how I managed to go through it from 4 o’clock in the morning of Sunday, the 25th April, to Wednesday, the 28th, under fire the whole time, without being hit, is a mystery to me.” Duncan also discusses the fighting qualities of the Turks, the poor conditions and the report of him missing being wrong.

Duncan was sent to the hospital at Neuralia from Anzac on 12^th August with influenza. On the 16^th he was sent to the 1^st Australian General Hospital at Cairo and was then transferred to a convalescent camp at Helouan on the 18^th. On 21^st May 1915 a telegram was sent to his eldest brother in Bundaberg stating he had been wounded and they would advise further when notified. A letter dated 8^th August from his father to Base Records thanked them for their information on Duncan being missing and also he had great comfort that Duncan had re-joined his unit. Duncan had also sent him a letter which said he was in the best of health and still fighting like a Trojan. The influenza must have knocked him around as he only re-joined his unit on Lemnos on 19^th November 1915.

In December 1915 his father again wrote to Base Records as he had not received a letter from Duncan recently and feared something had gone wrong with him. He knew he had been ill after serving six months in the trenches at Gallipoli. Base Records replied they would sent to Egypt for information and let him know of their reply. They also acknowledged his change of address. Robert had been living with Duncan but was now with Charles, with his address as Finney, Isles and Co. Maryborough. A reply stated Duncan had re-joined his unit on 19^th November after being in hospital for influenza, which was different to him being missing earlier, the particulars of that event having been previously forwarded to him. On the 22^nd he was placed on the supernumerary list under the provision of paragraph 3a of rules governing promotion and was then taken on the strength of his unit. From Mudros they travelled on the Grampian to Alexandria, disembarking there on 4^th January 1916. At Habeita on 25^th February, he was transferred to the 49^th Battalion. On 12^th March he was then transferred to the 45^th Battalion, part of the 12^th Infantry Brigade at Ismailia and taken on their strength. He was also promoted to Captain on that date. On 23^rd April he was to be a Temporary Major. Another entry dated 14^th March 1916 said he was to be promoted to a Major.

He proceeded to join the B.E.F. at Alexandria on 2^nd June 1916 to embark on the Kinfauns Castle and disembarked at Marseilles on the 8^th. A letter from his sister, Florence on 16^th June 1916 apologises for the trouble as she returned a telegram but forgot to state who it was about. She also notified her father, who normally lived with her, but was visiting another sister (Mrs Wearne). She also wanted to know how to get a message to Duncan, who had been wounded and she was very anxious about the whole issue. On 24^th June he was promoted to Major. He was killed in action in the field on the 5^th or 6^th of August 1916 at Pozieres. He was involved in the action which involved attacking the ruin of Pozieres Windmill on 4^th August. A statement in his service records reads “Major Chapman was killed by shell-fire almost as soon as he reached the Front Line at POZIERES on 6.8.16. He was very much knocked about and owing to the extreme difficulties of the situation at the time it is not known whether there was any burial. A cross was erected however, some days after at approximately X.5.a.3.0. Sheet 57D. S.E. approximately 400 yards East of POZIERES.” “I saw him killed by a shell, wrote one of his soldiers,” J. Mackie, from a hospital bed in England that November. “He was a bit on the gingery side in appearance, was well liked by the company, was wearing plain top boots, was a fairly well made man, smart in his movements and a good officer.” His father wrote to the Minister of Defence on 24^th August, asking him how he was killed and that it was a great blow to him to him in every way. On 20^th September 1916 notification was received by G.H.Q. that he was killed in action in the field on 6^th August from the Commanding Officer of the 45^th Battalion. Florence sent another cable to Base Records in August 1916 asking for more particulars on his death. Her address was Mount Perry. The reply from Base Records stated they knew nothing further but would pass on any information as they received it.

In 1916 a kit bag of some of his belongings was sent to Mrs W. H Wearne of Wongarra St, West End, Bundaberg. She was Florence Emeline Chapman, an older sister. A note in May 1917 from Australian Depot Stores lists the contents of a trunk of his. A case with his other belongings was also listed on another note. The Public Curators Office sent a letter to Base Records in May 1917 looking for Duncan’s belongings as the family were anxious to get them.

A note in his service records from Graves Registration Units (exhumation) at Pozieres British Cemetery reads for him, 45/A.I.F. Chapman Maj. D. 6/8/16 (Report Pozieres 4.13E,SSP.2048). On 15^th February 1917 a reply to the Public Curator encloses a certificate or report of death of Major D. Chapman 45^th Battalion. He is buried in Section III, Row M, Plot 22 of Pozieres British Cemetery.

Robert Chapman (his father) wrote a letter to the Minister of Defence on 2^nd July 1917 saying that Duncan was killed in action on the night of the 5^th August 1916 and that he had not received his personal effects yet, and as it was nearly twelve months ago he should have got them. He understood the problems they would have in tracking them down, but suggested enough time had elapsed for them to be sent. He asks if enquiries could be made and any information sent to him. On 14^th July 1917 a reply to Mr. R. A. Chapman of “Glenfarg” Torquay, concerning the personal effects of Duncan, stated that two consignments had been sent to the Public Curator in Brisbane as he was the administrator of Duncan’s estate. On the 19^th, Base Records asks the Public Curator to acknowledge them sending two parcels of his effects which had arrived on the ship Beltana and were being forwarded to him. They were to have been sent to Victoria Barracks but had not arrived there.

One brown kit bag with some of his effects in it was sent to a sister, Mrs W. H Wearne of Wongarra St, West End Bundaberg with a note listing what was in it from AIF Kit Store. Another sealed package was sent to her, but the address was changed to C/o N. Jensen, Pialba, Queensland. The package contained a valise and mattress and was sent on the Ulysses. It is rather haunting reading the lists of his personal effects sent in those cases.

A letter from his eldest sister, Mary Ramsey Duncan (Mrs W) Cook of Ward Street Maryborough, was replied to by Base Records stating they had received her letter and statutory declaration and added her name to the records as next of kin to the late Major D. Chapman, 45^th Battalion. In her original letter she stated that their parents were both deceased and she was the eldest living family member. She had also asked of his death and of getting a nearest female relative badge, to which the reply was he was killed in action in the field on 6^th August 1916 in France and the badge had to be applied for from Victoria Barracks. She also notes of two other brothers who served. A letter in May 1920 asks her if she can supply details of any nearer blood relation to him than herself, (eldest alive brother) and if she could send them his name and address. The reply, sent in May 1920 gives the list of her brothers and their addresses. In November 1920 she replied to a letter from Base Records saying that Duncan was born in Maryborough on 15^th May but she states the year as being 1887 and says “he will be identified from Maryborough his birthplace”. Base Records adds a comment about the information supplied is for his Military financial affairs. A letter to her in September 1930 from Base Records asks the current address of her brother Mr W. R. A. Chapman who did reside at Small Goods Store, New Cleveland Rd. Morningside, who was the eldest brother, but younger than her. They wanted to send him the memorial plaque for Duncan. A letter to the same address in early October was sent by Base Records stating that the plaque had previously been sent to that address and returned unclaimed. William eventually received it and signed the receipt on 20^th October 1930. Previously a letter from Base Records in 1921 stated the Memorial Scroll had been sent to him at an address of Clare St. Wynnum, but the King’s message and covering letter had been returned unclaimed without the scroll. They were wondering if he received the scroll and if not they would make enquiries and redirect it to him. But they sent that letter to the above address, which seems odd. William wrote to Base Records at some time querying why they could not find him as he had been living in Morningside for some years but he does make some reference to a person of the same name living there. No date or address is stipulated and the date stamp in too faded to read. Another letter says he got the King’s message but not the scroll and has his address as McKenzie St. South Wynnum. He signed for the scroll in September 1921. William also signed for the Victory medal in June 1922 with his address noted as Small Goods Store, New Cleveland Rd., Morningside.

On 29th August Mayor E H Warry presented a certificate to Mrs M Cook which in part read “This small momento from the citizens of Maryborough to you is intended to be, in future years, a public record of your brother Major D K Chapman, having taken part in the Great War waged during the years 1914 to 1918 against our enemies attempt to secure world despotism. He gave his life for a Great Cause. It is the desire of our citizens to express deep and sincere sympathy to you in your bereavement.”

In 1924 a letter was sent to William at the above address noting the site of Duncan’s final resting place was in the Pozieres British Cemetery in Plot 3, Row V, Grave 22.

There is a bit of controversy surrounding the claim to the first man on Gallipoli, with three people mentioned. Duncan was one, Major James Campbell Robertson (second in Command of the 9th Battalion and born in Toowoomba on 24th October 1878) and Lance Sergeant Joseph Stratford 1179 (a labourer from New South Wales). Stratford was reported in newspapers of the time as being first, but he was killed on the first day after jumping out into the water from the boat, throwing off his heavy pack before he drowned and charging a Turkish machine gun position, bayoneting two Turks before falling over them dead, riddled with bullets. Family members have letters and records which confirm this. It is noted elsewhere that he was the first New South Welshman to come ashore, which is probably true as the 9th Battalion was a Queensland unit. Apparently an officer at that time said he should have one the Victoria Cross for his bravery. The 9th Battalion official history has Major Robertson, but no supporting details are shown in history. Scout Sergeant Frederick Charles Coe 1010 (afterwards Mr F Kemp), who was the battalion scout reported there was already a boat on shore when the shooting started, but did not clarify who was first ashore. He did write “We touched shore and Lieut. Chapman was the first ashore. I followed him and we all got ashore. Wilson of the scouts was taking my pack off when the first shot rang out: a pause: then seven more…” Another source says Coe immediately followed Chapman out. William Cleaver acknowledged Duncan as being first out when interviewed when he was in his 70’s.

A letter to the Army from A H Reynolds (T/Sgt 1171) in 1967 stated he was in the first boat to land with James D Bostock (Private 1109) “who has been officially credited as the Second solider to land at Gallipoli”. A newspaper article also states “Much of the difficulty in determining who was the first man to land is due to the fact that the landing was before dawn”. Another letter in a newspaper in 1934 by James R Speirs 364 A Company 9^th Battalion also states he was in the boat and saw Duncan hop out first.

His youngest brother, Sydney Jackson Chapman also served in WW1. As a 2^nd Lieutenant in the 26^th Battalion he embarked on HMAT Armadale A26 on 20^th September 1915. He was listed as a surveyor, single and living at Wongarra St. Bundaberg with his next of kin as his sister Mrs Emmaline F Wearne of the same address. On 7^th May 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross at Bullecourt with the 9^th Battalion. The recommendation reads “at BULLECOURT, FRANCE, on the night of the 6/7^th May, 1917, Lieut. S. J. CHAPMAN shewed great gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer was acting as Intelligence officer, and throughout the operation on the night of the 6/7^th and the day of the 7^th continually went ahead under very heavy artillery and machine gun fire collecting information of the most valuable nature. On one occasion Lieut. Chapman was blown several yards down the trench and had many narrow escapes, he nevertheless worked on and by his cheerful manner heartened all he came in contact with. Lieut. Chapman has on many previous occasions rendered invaluable service to the Battalion in a like capacity. (Not previously recommended or rewarded.) I trust the Officers services will not go unrewarded.” {The last two sentences are crossed out.} He sent a letter to his sister Florence Wearne at Mount Perry mentioning he had been awarded the Military Cross. Also was included General Birdwood’s letter of congratulations which read, “I write to congratulate you most heartily upon the Military Cross, which has been awarded to you for your conspicuous gallantry and good service in the fighting near Bullecourt, on 6^th May. I know that in your capacity of intelligence officer you continually went forward under very heavy artillery and machine gun fire, collecting valuable information. I know, too, that on previous occasions you have rendered good service for us, for which I sincerely thank you. With good wishes for the future”. He returned to Australia as a Captain in the 9^th Battalion on 18^th July 1919 after which he seems to have vanished. Oddly, he has no service record online and only a record of service stored in Brisbane at National Archives. His full entitlement is not known. It appears he moved to New Guinea soon after but for what reason is not known. He passed away there on 1^st March 1930.

Another older brother, Frederick James Chapman also served in WW1. As Private 4080 of the 17^th Battalion he left Sydney on HMAT Star of England A15 on 8^th March 1916. He enlisted at Sydney. In Egypt he was transferred to the 15^th Training Battalion and spent the first 5 months of 1916 in Egypt before being sent to England in June. He was discharged with synovitis (injury to knee), which had flared up throughout the time he was in the army, on 11^th December 1916, after being returned to Australia. He received a pension after being invalided out of the army. His full entitlement was the British War Medal.

There have been three trees planted in different locations at Central State School Maryborough in honour of Duncan.

Duncan medal entitlement is the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. His brother was also sent the Memorial Scroll and Plaque. The ANZAC Commemorative Medallion was also applied for and sent. There is also a striking photo of him in uniform.

Memorial in Maryborough Queensland.