WW1 Gunner Rowley Hay Chapman 2/2092

Rowley William Hay Chapman was born in 1894 at Auckland to Helene and Frank (Francis Frederick Angerstean Hay) Chapman, of Tainui Road Devonport, although his birth date on attestation is given as 17 July 1895.

He attended Devonport and Remuera primary schools and Kings College Remuera in 1907. When he attested on 25 August 1915 his occupation was given as storeman at the N Z Government Military garrison at Devonport Submarine Mining Shed. On 9 October 1915 Rowley sailed from Wellington to Suez, Egypt on Aparima or Navua or Warrimoo as a Gunner in the New Zealand Field Artillery 7th Reinforcements. He left Alexandria for Marseilles on HMT Caledonia on 11 May 1916 and thence to Etaples Base camp on 20 May 1916. On 5 August 1916 he transferred to 11th Battery Z Trench Mortar Battery (3rd Brigade) And was killed in action on 21 February 1917 somewhere on the front line near Fleurbaix between the Battle of the Somme (November 1916) and the Battle for Messines (June 1917).[1]

The New Zealand Herald reported:

PRIVATE R. HAY-CHAPMAN. Private Rowley Hay Chapman, killed in action on February 21 was 22 years of age. He was born at lhumata, Mangere, and was educated at the Devonport and Remuera public schools. From the day war was declared he was garrisoned at Fort Cautley till he left Now Zealand in October 1915. While in France he was transferred to the trench mortar artillery. His father also is on active service, having left with the reinforcements which sailed last June. [2]

Rowley Hay Chapman is remembered on the: [3]

• Cite Bonjean (New Zealand) Memorial, Armentieres, Nord, France Devonport War Memorial, Devonport, Auckland,
• Roll of Honour, Holy Trinity (Anglican) Church, 20 Church Street, Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand
• Roll of Honour, Devonport Primary School, granite tablet, 18 Kerr Street, Devonport, Auckland
• Remuera Primary School World War One Gates 1914-1918, 25 Dromorne Road, Remuera Auckland 1050