Chapman Family, Lisburn, County Antrim

[fmni]

I'm currently researching this family and those members who fought in the First World War. I've discovered conflicting information and hoping to get to the bottom of it!

Taken from a website on the Lisburn War Memorial:

CHAPMAN, Rifleman William J. Born in Broomhedge, Co. Antrim, he lived in Moira or Lisburn, enlisting in Lisburn and serving in 11 RIR (2234). He embarked with his battalion for France from Bordon in October 1915 and may have been wounded in June or early July 1916 and again in September 1916. He DoW in France on the 3.6.17 aged 26, and is buried in plot 3, row B, grave 217 in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, France, (very close to the Franco-Belgian border). The headstone inscription reads, “Thy will be done. Ever remembered by his wife and child. M. Chapman, Lisburn”. He was the husband of Martha Chapman of 8 Ballynahinch Road, Lisburn whom he had married after joining up. His brother James Chapman who lived with their mother in Longstone Street and Cousin Joseph Chapman from Smithfield, also served. Both were wounded in June or early July 1916.

OK, from my own family research and the 1911 census of Antrim and Down conflicting information that might be able to clear up from his papers:

1) His age when he died, census implies he was born 1893 a death in 1917 on paper would make him 24 rather than 26. His paper's should list a date of birth, that being the case - what was it?

2) His siblings. In the 1911 census William and James are living in Haslems Lane in Lisburn, not Longstone Street. This move may have occured later. However they have another sibling called Joseph living with them, although the above details implies Joseph is not a sibling but a cousin. From Joseph's papers, what was his age and who was his next of kin?

3) William's marriage and in turn, child. I believe William married Mary Bustard on the 28th May 1915 at St. Anne's Church of Ireland, Belfast. However the above indicates his wife was Martha. In the same church in 1915 (19th June 1915) there is a William Chapman marrying a Martha Heasley? co-incidence?


Any information on either William, Joseph or James from their records would be appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Mark

[spof]

Hi Mark

I'm totally confused. 

There is a Williamunder a different number - 17432.He was 21 years old when he enlisted on 12 Sep 1914. He went to France in Oct 1915. Next of kin is his mother Mary at 128 Longstone Street, Lisburn. This William was discharged in Jan 1919 from gun shot wound to his left arm. He also had 3 overseas service chavrons and 3 wound stripes. He was married when discharged.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission also has 2234 William being in the 11th Battallion RIR aged  26 when he died. The online Irish BMDs at http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=home shows a William John Chapmans born in Sept quarter 1891 in Lisburn Registration District and another in 1893 so I guess that dooesn't help much   unless you can access local papers etc. His papers do not appear to have survived the fire in 1940

Medal Index Cards show 6 William Chapmans in the RIR.



There were 2 Josephs in the RIR. One was number 17341 who enlisted in Sep 1914 at 25 years and he was a butcher. He was discharged in Feb 1919 as a Lance Sergeant and had a disability classed as a gun shot wound to his right arm. His adress at discharge was given as 2 James Street, Lisburn. Next of kin was his mother Sarah and he landed in France in Oct 1915. The other Joseph has a number of 2233 (he must have been standing in front of William in the recruiting office) but I can't find a record.

I think you need to post on the Great War Forum and head your post something like Chapman - Royal Irish Rifles so that a regimental expert can see it.

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/

Glen

[fmni]

Hi Spof,

Thanks for your work and time, much appreciated.

I had the opportunity to interview an 88 year old nephew of 'William' at the weekend which has helped clear part of the confusion up.

His uncle 'William' survived the war and is the William you mention, number 17432 - and indeed lost his left arm.

The other William that died he wasn't sure about but I believe that it will turn out to be a cousin of the William I am interested in.

Will need more investigative work on my part first me thinks before trying the Great War Forum.... starting to piece together more now and it's definiately the William Chapman (17432) that I'm particularly interested in but would like to discover more about the other Chapmans from Lisburn as well.

Subsequently, the William Chapman that did survive the war and lost an arm was later knocked down and killed by a bus in Lisburn!

[Lisnagarvey]

Hi Fmni,
What an amazing chance that I should come across your query about Chapmans in Lisburn.  I am the grandson of William (2234) and, now retired, my wife and I are planning a trip to France and Germany to visit William's grave and my wife's uncle's grave in Germany, he was shot down during WWII, as none of either family have been over the years. I was doing my best to discover as much as possible about William and my other grandfather George Cleland (17365) who was killed on the first day of 'The Somme'.  I have heir medals and the widows' pennies.
So, what is your interest in the Chapmans and how might I help?

[chicag0]

I am related to the Chapman's from Lambeg.
Anyone still searching for them?