Desmond Chapman (1919)

Born 27 Jul 1919 in Moonta, South Australia, Australia

Ancestors

Biography

Desmond Chapman was born on 27th July 1919 at Moonta, South Australia, Australia. He was the second son of Lionel Chapman and Mabel Knight. ^[1]

Des Chapman is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Second Australian Imperial Force 1941-1946
2/27th Australian Infantry Battalion

On 10th May 1941, Des enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force for service overseas during the Second World War; serial number SX10196. He was posted to the 2/27th Australian Infantry Battalion, as were his brothers, Raymond and Maxwell. ^[2] He joined the battalion as it was involved in its second campaign - the invasion of Syria and Lebanon, which began on 8th June. After sailing from Egypt on 30th January 1942, the 2/27th disembarked in Adelaide on 24th March.

(from left) Max, Des & Ray Chapman in Papua

The battalion's stay in Australia, however, was brief, for on 14th August it arrived at Port Moresby, Papua, and by 6th September was in position at Mission Ridge on the Kokoda Track preparing to meet the relentless advance of the Japanese. A grim two-week withdrawal through the jungle, with little food, followed. Sick and exhausted, the 2/27th re-joined the main Australian force at Jawarere, 40 kilometres east of Port Moresby, on 22nd September. The 2/27th returned to action at Gona on 28th November, where it suffered heavily in series of rushed and ill-conceived attacks and was further assailed by the ravages of tropical disease. By the time it was relieved on 6th January 1943, it was only 70 strong. The battalion was back in Papua by early August, when it took part in the advance along the Ramu Valley and into the Finisterre Ranges. Its last operation of the war, on 3rd June 1945, involved landing at Balikpapan. From mid-October to late January 1946 the 2/27th formed part of the occupation force in the Celebes. ^[3] Des was discharged on 13th February 1946. Miraculously, both of his brothers also survived the war.

Sources

1. ↑ South Australia Birth Index #41A/256 1919; registered at Daly
2. ↑ Department of Veterans' Affairs nominal roll: SX12689 Private Desmond Chapman; accessed 22 May 2020
3. ↑ Australian War Memorial unit record: 2/27th Australian Infantry Battalion; accessed 22 May 2020