Raymond Chapman (1922)

Born 4 Jul 1922 in Moonta, South Australia, Australia

Ancestors

Biography

Raymond Chapman was born on 4th July 1922 at Moonta, South Australia, Australia. He was the fourth son of Lionel Chapman and Mabel Knight. ^[1]

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

On 20th August 1940, Ray enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force for service overseas during the Second World War; serial number SX10196. His gave his year of birth as 1920, two years older than he actually was. He was posted to the 2/27th Australian Infantry Battalion, 21st Brigade, 7th Division as were his brothers, Desmond and Maxwell. ^[2] The 2/27th's first operational assignment of war was to bolster the defences along the Egypt-Libya frontier against an expected German attack. It occupied positions at Maaten Bagush and Matruh throughout much of April and May 1941, before returning to Palestine in preparation for its first offensive operation - 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] Ray was discharged on 19th November 1945. Miraculously, both of his brothers also survived the war.

Sources

1. ↑ South Australia Birth Index #104A/342 1922; registered at Daly
2. ↑ Department of Veterans' Affairs nominal roll: SX10196 Private Raymond Chapman; accessed 22 May 2020
3. ↑ Australian War Memorial unit record: 2/27th Australian Infantry Battalion; accessed 22 May 2020