William John Chapman

William John Chapman was the eldest son of Albert John and Annie Chapman. He was the only son who served in WWI. He was a private in the 2nd Bn., Auckland Regiment, N.Z.E.F. He fought at the battle of Messines on the Western Front, Belgium, where he was killed in action 9 Jun 1917. William has no known grave, and while his body was never recovered he was likely to have been buried near where he fell. He is commemorated at Messines Ridge (N.Z.) Memorial.

William's father had died before the war in 1913 and his mother died in 1918. After the war his service medals, memorial plaque (known as the dead man's penny) and scroll went to the second eldest son Christopher Chapman.

• Rank: Private
• Service No: 23/1584
• Date of Death: 09/06/1917
• Regiment/Service: Auckland Regiment, N.Z.E.F. 2nd Bn.
• Panel Reference:
• Memorial: MESSINES RIDGE (N.Z.) MEMORIAL
• Additional Information: Son of the late Annie Chapman, of Auckland.

Links:

• Cenotaph Record
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission Record
• New Zealand War Graves Record