SAPPER HUNTER CHAPMAN
76 – 1st Tunnelling Company
Lindsey / Lindsay Hunter Chapman was born at Germanton, NSW in 1891 the son of Hume Jones and Eliza Day (nee Crisp) Chapman and had five sisters and two brothers with their early residence at Hume, Albury, NSW. He had served a five year apprenticeship as a fitter and turner with Clyde Cy & Co.
At the Department of Public Health in Sydney, NSW on August 12, 1915 he passed the medical examination for enlistment on active service abroad. At Warwick Farm, NSW he took the ‘Oath of Allegiance’ on August 14 and Attestation Forms were completed on August 16, 1915. These describe the twenty-five year old as 168cms (5ft 6½ins) tall, weighed 63.6kgs (140lbs) with a chest expansion of (36-38ins) 92-97cms. Complexion was florid (highly flushed) with light brown hair and his hazel eyes tested to good vision. Distinctive marks were two vaccination scars on his left arm. Church of England was his religion. Next-of-kin nominated was his father Hume Jones Chapman of Rocky Point Road, Kogarah, NSW.
On August 12, 1915 basic training commenced for Private Chapman with the 11th Reinforcement to the 3rd Battalion and concluded on October 26, 1915 when he was transferred to the Mining Corps at their training camp at Casula, near Liverpool NSW. The Mining Corps was in its establishment phase and recruiting had commenced in the previous quarter. He was assigned to the No. 1 Company of the Corps with the regimental number 76 in the rank of Sapper.
At a civic parade in the Domain, Sydney on Saturday February 19, 1916, a large crowd of relations and friends of the departing Miners lined the four sides of the parade ground. Sixty police and 100 Garrison Military Police were on hand to keep the crowds within bounds. The scene was an inspiriting one. On the extreme right flank, facing the saluting base, were companies of the Rifle Club School; next came a detachment of the 4th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, then the bands of the Light Horse, Liverpool Depot, and the Miners’ on the left, rank upon rank, the Miners’ Battalion.
The Corps boarded HMAT A38 Ulysses in Sydney, NSW on February 20 and sailed for the European theatre. Arriving in Melbourne, Victoria on February 22 the Miners camped at Broadmeadows for a stay of 7 days while further cargo was loaded.
Another parade was held at the Broadmeadows camp on March 1, the Miners’ Corps being inspected by the Governor-General, as Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth military forces.
Leaving Melbourne on March 1, Ulysses arrived at Fremantle, Western Australia on March 7 where a further 53 members were taken on board.
On Wednesday March 8, 1916 the whole force, with their band and equipment, paraded at Fremantle prior to leaving Victoria Quay at 9.30 o’clock.
The ship hit a reef when leaving Fremantle harbour, stripping the plates for 40 feet and, although there was a gap in the outside plate, the inner bilge plates were not punctured. The men on board nicknamed her ‘Useless’. The Miners were off-loaded and sent to the Blackboy Hill Camp where further training was conducted.
The Mining Corps comprised 1303 members at the time they embarked with a Headquarters of 40; No.1 Company – 390; No.2 Company – 380; No.3 Company – 392, and 101 members of the 1st Reinforcements.
Finally departing Fremantle on April 1, Ulysses voyaged via Suez, Port Said and Alexandria in Egypt. The Captain of the shipwas reluctantto take Ulysses out of the Suez Canal because he felt the weight of the ship made it impossible to manoeuvre in the situation of a submarine attack. The troops were transhipped to HM Transport B.1 Ansonia, then on to Valetta, Malta before disembarking at Marseilles, France on May 5, 1916. As a unit they entrained at Marseilles on May 7 and detrained on May 11 at Hazebrouck.
A ‘Mining Corps’ did not fit in the British Expeditionary Force, and the Corps was disbanded and three Australian Tunnelling Companies were formed. The Technical Staff of the Corps Headquarters, plus some technically qualified men from the individual companies, was formed into the entirely new Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company (AEMMBC), better known as the ‘Alphabetical Company’.
He was transferred on December 24, 1916 to the 1st Tunnelling Company.
Sapper Chapman suffered no injuries, illness or wounds during his service on the front.
For twelve months service he was issued with Blue Chevrons to wear on his uniform.
On July 17, 1918 he was noted to be on duty in an audit of the Company.
Granted leave on September 25, 1918 he rejoined his unit on October 11, 1918.
He was with the unit when Peace was declared in November, 1918 and the Tunnelling Companies remained on the front as part of the Army of Occupation assisting with rehabilitation of their area by clearing roads and bridges of traps and bombs left by the enemy.
On February 12, 1919 the unit marched out to the Aust General Base Depot to prepare to return to England.
Sapper Chapman went to the 40th Stationary Hospital on February 20, 1919 with Influenza and reported the following day as severely ill. On February 28 he was transported on a hospital ship to England and admitted to the Morton County of London Military Hospital at Epsom. His Medical Case Sheet stated on March 1 the following:
Disease: Influenza
1.3.19 From France, sick convoy Taken in 20.2.19 Sore throat general pain
On admittance, P & T ?, No catarrh – no pain, feels fairly weak. Lungs
A few formative sounds? in both bases. Kidneys.
His father was advised on March 5, 1919 by Base Records that he was seriously ill in hospital and again on March 10 when he was removed from the seriously ill list. Three days later he was updated on his hospital admittance and on April 11 that his son was convalescent.
On March 21, 1919 a transfer to the 3rd Aust Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford and remained until March 25 when discharged to furlough and report to the Overseas Training camp at Longbridge Deverill. From A.I.F. Headquarters in London he arrived at the No. 1 Group camp on April 9, 1919.
Sapper Chapman departed on April 20, 1919 on the H.T. Boonah for the voyage to Australia. His father was advised by Base Records on May 20, 1919 that he was returning home. The ship docked in Melbourne, Vic (3rd M.D.) on June 8, 1919 and was transhipped to the Sardinia to disembark in Sydney, NSW, 2nd M.D.) on June 11, 1919.
Military Discharge was issued in Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) on July 26, 1919 on the termination of his period of enlistment.
The British War Medal (33126) and the Victory Medal (32711) were issued to Sapper 76 Hunter Chapman, 1st Tunnelling Company for serving his country for three years and 350 days.
His medals remained uncollected until Hunter Chapman of Post Office, Kooroongarra, Qld wrote to Base Records on May 28, 1932 requesting the medals and ribbons he had not claimed. He also asked for information as he had been told by many diggers that he could claim a share of the Canteen Fund. A reply from Base Records dated June 10, 1932 advised that his medals had been sent under separate registered cover and the all Canteen Funds had been disbursed. Delivery was receipted on June 25, 1932.
In 1936 and 1937 he was a labourer working at Glenmorgan, Miles, Qld. A Statement of his Service was sent from Base Records on February 24, 1937 to the Repatriation Department in Brisbane, Qld.
His address in 1943 was Wilcox’s, 326 Kent Street, Maryborough, Qld.
Lindsay Hunter Chapman died on August 8, 1948 aged 57 years. Funeral arrangements were published in The Courier-Mail on Monday August 11, 1948:
His grave is located in Anzac Portion 7 of the Lutwyche War Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld within section 79 in grave no. 28.