CHAPMAN, James Hartwell

DIVISIONAL UNIT:        3rd Canadian Infantry Division
                                             9th Infantry Brigade
                                             58th Battalion – Central Ontario
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps 
SERVICE NO:                   678552
RESIDENCE:                    Toronto - Ontario
DATE OF BIRTH:            December 1, 1896
                                             Glenannan - County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           April 12, 191 7.                    20 years     4 months
CEMETERY:                     Bois-Carre British Cemetery – Thelus –
                                             Pas de Calais – France
                                             V     A     18
WIFE:                                 Mrs. Eva Emily Chapman – Toronto - Ontario 
MOTHER:                          Mrs. Margaret Chapman – Rapid City - Manitoba
Occupation:                        Printer                                  Religion:     Salvantionist
Enlistment:                         Toronto – Ontario – February 2, 1916 into the 169th Battalion
Enlistment Age:                 19 years     2 months

Between his enlistment and his departure from Canada Private Chapman was married on October 2, 1916.
Private Chapman departed Canadian shores on October 25, 1916 and arrived in the United Kingdom on November 5, 1916.
On November 28, 1916, Private Chapman transferred to and was Taken on Strength by the 58th Battalion. That same day he departs Shorncliffe Camp – Kent for overseas into France and proceeds to the 3rd Canadian Entrenching Battalion. He then joins the 58th Battalion in the field on December 6, 1916.
Conditions on April 12, 1917 were overcast and wet with winds out of the west at 7 mph.
Battalion Diaries: “A” Company sent out two patrols and they pushed down Staubwesser Weg and Artillier Weg and established trench blocks halfway through La Polie. There was no enemy opposition encountered. A post was established at the junction of these two trenches and was held during the day but in the evening the post was withdrawn back down Staubwesser Weg because of enemy sniper fire coming from Bloater Trench. The Battalion suffered casualties here.
Later in the day a a small patrol was cut off when they were out reconnoitering and while the patrol was out two men were killed. We cannot say if this was where Private Chapmen was killed in any certainty.
Brigade diaries: state that at noon hour the 9th Infantry Brigade took over the 7th & 8th Brigade fronts. The 58th Battalion was centre front. It then goes on to say what the positions of other Battalions are across the Brigade front.
Service file: states that Private Chapman was killed in action on April 12, 1917.