Second Lieutenant David Archibald James Chapman

Campaign:

World War 1

Died:

15.9.1916

2SG
KIA Aged 23
Commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial, France. Pier and Face 7D

David Archibald James Chapman was born on 18th September 1893 at Selborne Road, Hove, the only child of Colonel David Phelips Chapman, a professional Army officer, and his wife, Anges Mary Laurie. His father had reached the rank of Major, and seen service abroad, notably in the Sudan, by the time he married Agnes in 1892. After his retirement, he retained the rank of a Colonel with regard to the Army. David was educated at Eton College, and served as a Private in the Colleges Officers Training Corps from 1908-1910 when he left school and joined the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. At the end of his training, he was ranked 92nd in the Sandhurst Competitive Examination of June 1911 and was one of 13 candidates who were successful for appointment in the Cavalry. In June 1914, he applied for a Commission in the 19th Hussars Special Reserve, a Cavalry Regiment, giving his address as The Manor House, Ham. While the medical examination found him to be unfit, he was appointed a Second Lieutenant five months later (21st November 1914) In December 1915, David applied for a commission in the Scots Guards Special Reserve, a prestigious infantry regiment, with his application endorsed by Colonel H. Fludyer, Scots Guards. Chapman was killed in action at the attack on Les Bouefs on 15th September 1916: The Division attacked Les Bouefs zero (hour) 6.20am. Owing to attack being held up about 6pm the Battalion was ordered up to support Colonel I. Campbell, 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards. Lieutenant Colonel R.S. Tempest lead the Battalion between Ginchy and Delville Wood on a N.E. position. The Commanding Officer and Adjutant were hit almost immediately and Captain J.S. Thorpe and Lieutenant D.A.J. Chapman were killed during a counter-attack on our right flank company. Captain R.E.F. Maitland and 2/Lieuts. Dawkins, Murdoch and Wodehouse were wounded. 2/Lieuts. Dawkins and Murdoch died of wounds 4 days later. Lieutenant W.A. Boyd was then left in command of the Battalion. Major Hon. R. Coke came up to take command. Lieut. E.M. McDougal to do Adjutant and Lieut. D.J. Bethell to command the Right Flank Company. Major Hon. R. Coke was wounded on the way up. Having no known grave, Chapman is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is noted as the son of Colonel David Phelips Chapman and Agnes Mary Chapman (nee Laurie) of The Manor House, Ham, Surrey husband of Lillian Georgina Chapman (nee Warner). An obituary in the Times on 4th October 1916 states: was the only son of Major David Phelops Chapman, M.V.O. and Mrs. Chapman of the Manor House, Ham, Surrey. He was educated at Stonehouse, Broadstairs and at Eton (Mr. E.L. Churchills House). On the outbreak of war he went as A.D.C. to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whilst recovering form a severe accident. He was gazetted to the 19th Hussars in November 1914, and was present in the trenches at the Second Battle of Ypres. He transferred to the Scots Guards in January 1916 and was killed on September 15th