| Regimental number | 1124 |
| Place of birth | Dunedin, New Zealand |
| School | State School, Rotorua, New Zealand |
| Age on arrival in Australia | 21 |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Clerk |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 27 |
| Height | 5' 9" |
| Weight | 151 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, Thomas Chapman, 36 Aro Street, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Liverpool, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 13th Battalion, F Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/30/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A38 Ulysses on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 13th Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Distinguished Conduct Medal Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death | 30 |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 30 |
| Place of burial | Adelaide Cemetery (Plot III, Row L, Grave No. 15), Villers-Bretonneux, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 68 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Thomas and Elizabeth CHAPMAN. Native of Dunedin, New Zealand. |
| Medals |
Distinguished Conduct Medal 'For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on 6th August, 1915, at Aghyl Dere (Dardanelles). He was the bearer of an important message from one Commanding Officer to another, having to pass over ground swept by heavy fire. On his way he was badly wounded, but went on until he fell exhausted. After a time he pulled himself together, and, struggling on, eventually succeeded in reaching and attracting the attention of an officer, to whom he safely passed on the message. It was a most gallant service, and showed a fine spirit of self-sacrifice.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 28 Date: |
| Family/military connections | Nil |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Proceeded from Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 12 April 1915. Wounded in action, 9 August 1915 (gun shot wound, abdomen: serious); transferred by HS 'Gascon' to Malta; disembarked, 16 August 1915, and admitted to Tigne Hospital; to England, 29 August 1915, and admitted to King George's Hospital, Stamford St, London (date not recorded); to Inter-Base Depot, Abbeywood, 30 November 1915; to Monte Video, Weymouth, 30 May 1916; to Perham Downs, 22 June 1916. Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal. Proceeded overseas to France from 4th Training Bn, Rollestone, 30 July 1916; rejoined 13th Bn, 19 August 1916. Appointed Corporal, 27 September 1917. Killed in action, France, 14 May 1918. Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, CHAPMAN Robert Reginald |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
