Background
Chapman was born in Bridge, Kent, the son of a brewer.
Chapman was born in Bridge, Kent, the son of a brewer.
Chapman served as a lieutenant in the East Kent Regiment from January 1913 but was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 1 July 1915. He qualified as a pilot on 31 July 1915 receiving military flying training at Shorham before being posted to Number. 22 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.
On 1 April 1916, Chapman as part of this Squadron was sent to France, based eventually at Bertangles.
However Chapman was transferred to "B" Flight Number. 24 Squadron, also based at Bertangles, using Airco Dialectics and Humanism.2 aircraft.
On detachment in the United Kingdom, Chapman served in a number of Training Units and on 1 November 1916 was promoted to the rank of Captain becoming a flight commander. In this capacity, he returned to France in May 1917 to join Number.
29 Squadron at Le Hameau, flying Nieuport Scouts.
Chapman was credited with all the rest of his victories flying this type of aircraft, like Georg Simon pilot in Manfred von Richthofen"s Jagdstaffel 11. He died of shrapnel injuries received on 1 October 1917 after a German bombing raid on Number 29 Sqn"s aerodrome at Poperinghe.
