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Rifleman Robert Chapman
Description
TitleRifleman Robert ChapmanSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionRobert was born at Leeston on 21 May 1891, son of Henry and Mary Chapman, of Springston South. He was 5ft 4in tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. He also had a mole on his back between his shoulders. He was educated at the Springston South School and prior to enlisting was working on his father’s farm. He was a good sportsman, captain of the Springston South Football Club, which came second in the Ellesmere Rugby Unions Junior Competition. He had previous military experience having served with the Territorials for 4 ½ years.
Robert enlisted 28 May 1915 and was first assigned to the Infantry then to the Rifle Brigade. He embarked on 9 October and landed in Suez 18 November 1915. After action in Egypt he embarked for France 6th April 1916. Although he survived a number of the Somme battles he received a gun-shot wound to the head on 14 November 1916, possibly from a German sniper. He lived long enough to be treated at the Australian Casualty Clearing Station but died the same day, aged 26. His father had died a little time previously so was spared the news of his son’s death. He was buried in the Estaires Communal Cemetery. Robert is remembered on the Greenpark and Springston War Memorials.
Estaires is a town and commune in the Department of the Nord, about 11 kilometres west of Armentieres. Estaires town was occupied by French cavalry on the 15 October 1914, and passed at once into British hands. On the 10 April 1918 it was captured by the enemy, after an obstinate defence by the 50th (Northumbrian) Division; and it was finally retaken by British troops at the beginning of September 1918. The town was a Field Ambulance centre as early as November 1914, and later the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station was posted in it. It was later "adopted" by the County Borough of Plymouth. Estaires Communal Cemetery was used for British burials from the early days of November 1914 to June 1917, and two burials of September 1918 are in Plot II, Row P. Estaires Communal Cemetery Extension was used from April 1917 to April 1918, and again in September-November 1918. The Plots are numbered IV and V, in continuation of the numbering for the Communal Cemetery. There are a total of 875 Commonwealth burials of the 1914-1918 war here, 63 of which are unidentified. There are 9 Commonwealth burials of the 1939-45 War, killed during the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force to Dunkirk at the end of May 1940. There are also 14 Non Commonwealth burials in C.W.G.C. care. The five Plots cover an area of 3,336 square metres.First NameRobertLast NameChapmanFamilySingleDate of Birth21 May 1891Place of BirthLeeston, CanterburyDate of Death14 November 1916Place of DeathFranceCause of DeathGunshot woundAge at Death26
Robert enlisted 28 May 1915 and was first assigned to the Infantry then to the Rifle Brigade. He embarked on 9 October and landed in Suez 18 November 1915. After action in Egypt he embarked for France 6th April 1916. Although he survived a number of the Somme battles he received a gun-shot wound to the head on 14 November 1916, possibly from a German sniper. He lived long enough to be treated at the Australian Casualty Clearing Station but died the same day, aged 26. His father had died a little time previously so was spared the news of his son’s death. He was buried in the Estaires Communal Cemetery. Robert is remembered on the Greenpark and Springston War Memorials.
Estaires is a town and commune in the Department of the Nord, about 11 kilometres west of Armentieres. Estaires town was occupied by French cavalry on the 15 October 1914, and passed at once into British hands. On the 10 April 1918 it was captured by the enemy, after an obstinate defence by the 50th (Northumbrian) Division; and it was finally retaken by British troops at the beginning of September 1918. The town was a Field Ambulance centre as early as November 1914, and later the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station was posted in it. It was later "adopted" by the County Borough of Plymouth. Estaires Communal Cemetery was used for British burials from the early days of November 1914 to June 1917, and two burials of September 1918 are in Plot II, Row P. Estaires Communal Cemetery Extension was used from April 1917 to April 1918, and again in September-November 1918. The Plots are numbered IV and V, in continuation of the numbering for the Communal Cemetery. There are a total of 875 Commonwealth burials of the 1914-1918 war here, 63 of which are unidentified. There are 9 Commonwealth burials of the 1939-45 War, killed during the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force to Dunkirk at the end of May 1940. There are also 14 Non Commonwealth burials in C.W.G.C. care. The five Plots cover an area of 3,336 square metres.First NameRobertLast NameChapmanFamilySingleDate of Birth21 May 1891Place of BirthLeeston, CanterburyDate of Death14 November 1916Place of DeathFranceCause of DeathGunshot woundAge at Death26
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OnePlaceSpringston South
ImageSpringston War MemorialGreenpark War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
ImageSpringston War MemorialGreenpark War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial CenotaphMilitary Service
Memorial or CemeteryEstaires Communal CemeteryGreenpark War MemorialSpringston War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingFarmerRegiment or ServiceNew Zealand Rifle BrigadeEnlistment Details28th May 1915Service Number24/721Embarkation9th October 1915
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. Seaton
Rifleman Robert Chapman. Selwyn Stories, accessed 18/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/338