Photostat copy of letters from Percy Wellesley Chapman to his mother, 5 April 1915 to 1 February 1917 - Part 1

File No
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
18t-4
WAR MUSEUM LIBRARY.
RECORD FILE OF PAPERS.
NOT TO BE TAKEN AWAY.
LETTERS OF P.W. CHAPMAN. CAPTAIN.

 

12/11/3
12 March 1927.
A.K. Chapman, Esq.,
211, Cowper Street,
Goulburn, N.S.W.
Dear Sir,
The Australian War Memorial Museum, containing as it
does the written records, the pictures, and the relics of Australia's
forces which served in the Great War, has, as you are
probably aware, been established by Act of Parliament of the
Commonwealth as the national memorial to those who fell or died
in this country's service during that struggle. A certain
portion of these records, comprizing pictures, official photographs,
models, and relics, has for the last six years been
exhibited in Melbourne and Sydney, but the whole will later be
brought together and permanently housed at Canberra in a monumental
building, plans for which are now being determined.
In the library of the "War Museum" there are preserved
the written records - that is to say, the war diaries of the
A.I.F. as they were written up from day to day in the field, the
signal messages written in battle, the correspondence files,
maps, air-photographs, naval records, and other official documents,
as well as copies of most books or publications of both
sides which touch or have a direct bearing on the work of
Australia’s forces, newspaper files for the years 1914-1918, and
a number of private diaries and letters - all of which are now
being used by the official historians, and will through the coming
centuries be the main source of information for students and
for those writing of Australia's war-effort.
Many living officers and men have given their private
records into the custody of the War Memorial library, and the
collection is still growing week by week. But in respect of the
records of those who died, it is not sufficiently representative;
and, as these are the men and women to whom the War Memorial is
dedicated and whose great service it will for all time commemorate,
it is especially fitting that every effort should be made
to collect and worthily preserve their papers and letters. The
Australian soldier and sailor often recorded in his diary or in
his home-letters indications of the thoughts, hopes, and fears
which were then uppermost in his mind, and descriptions of his
own and others’ work and actions. These papers are often the
most valuable human documents, bearing evidence of supreme
effort and endurance in circumstances of which, unfortunately,
there is often nowadays practically no other existing record. It
is apparent, from the letters and diaries which have already come
into the keeping of the War Memorial library, that in many homes
there must exist numerous letters and other papers which would
form data of importance and value.
It has therefore been decided to ask the relatives of
some of those who gave their lives if they would kindly agree to
present to the War Memorial library now, or bequeath to it later
any such documents in their possession. For this reason I am
writing to inquire whether you can see your way to contribute to
the Museum the letters received from your son, the late Percy
Wellesley Chapman, during his service with the A.I.F., or any
other relevant papers, diaries, maps, etc. It is of course
recognized that these documents are very precious to you, being
 

22.
in the nature of cherished heirlooms which, if kept in your family,
cannot fail to inspire future generations of Australians with
a spirit of devotion and self-sacrifice and a determination also
to serve their country well. On the other hand it may perhaps be
reasonably held that, if included in a library such as that being
formed by the Australian War Memorial, they will be of even greater
value to Australia as a whole, and, in the long run, more
tenderly and carefully preserved.
In the case of letters it is also realized that they must
contain much of a private and family nature. The War Memorial
documents, however, include many confidential State papers, and
are well guarded, and only to be inspected by historians and
students on conditions strictly laid down. The confidence imposed
by these conditions has never been and is never likely to
be broken.
If you decide that you are unable to part with these
private records, at least for the present, might I suggest that
you will be good enough to allow the War Memorial library either
to copy or to make extracts from them? In that case all care
will be taken of them, and they shall be returned to you either
separately or together, as you wish, as soon as the work of
copying has been completed.
In addition, you may know of interesting letters written
by your son to others of his relations or friends, and possibly
still preserved, which might suitably find a place in the War
Memorial collection. The War Memorial Board would be grateful
if you would assist it by sending to me the names and addresses of
any friends who would be likely to present such letters.
Yours faithfully.
Director,
Australian War Memorial.
Letter sent in respect of Captain P.W. Chapman, M.C., 55th Battalion,
A.I.F. (formerly 1st Light Horse Regiment), who was killed on 12
March 1917 "near Bapaume". Other biographical details concerning
him are:-
Town in Australia with which he was chiefly connected: Goulburn
N.S. W.
Birthplace: Glen Innes, N.S.Wales.
Age at time of death: 30.
Educated at: Wolaroi House, Orange, N.S.W.; and The
Armidale School.
His calling: Student (Hawkesbury Agricultural School, Richmond
N.S.W.).
"He left Australia," his father wrote in 1920, "as trooper in
6th Reinforcements of 1st Regiment in June 1915. Served in
Gallipoli for eight weeks, during which time he was recommended
for a commission. Reached France as 2nd Lieutenant in 55th
Battalion in June 1916. At Battle of Fleurbaix (Fromelles) was
awarded M.C. Was wounded in Oct. 1916, but reached the front
again in December. Was made Captain on his return. He was
reported missing on 12th March at the advance to Bapaume - and
his body was found three days later near german lines."
 

April 5th 1915
Wednesday
My dear Mommon,
Here I sit me down
to write. I have rather a guilty conscience
about writing but in [[?]] I feel inclined
will the responsibility of censorship had fallen
upon me. and I see myself staring at what
appears to be a blank [[?]] with a few meagre
facts about weather and health poking
their uninteresting faces over it. We are
at present camped somewhere [[?]] from our
camp of a week ago. Infact a much more
interesting place where the steamers from
home pass by at night with their huge
search lights illuminating on either side
the barren sandy wastes where we stand
and [[?]]. During the day all is [[?]]
and go huge dredges continually pumping
out the sandy bottom of the canal. There
[[?]] all now you know our whereabouts. But
shortly we will be on the move again, the
Lord perhaps knows where  I don't. Did
Moses ever cause a plague of fleas to visit
 

Egypt, as that plague still exists. There
are a couple of huts here on the banks of
the canal, and the other day I being of a
curious nature stood at the door and
looked in, then I took my departure
hurriedly. You know how ants will crawl
on your legs if you stand on their nest.
Well that is how the fleas got on my
puttees. Being an infantry man now I wear
puttees. Oh well that is Egypt. Flue fleas
filth and fair weather. I have a mustache
now, not a very big one this sort
Hand drawn diagram - see original
but the other day I caught a flea in it
so you can see it is big enough to shelter something.
Well Mommon there is [[??]]
Give my love to all. It is a long time
since I heard from home and letters are
going all to pot here. My love to all
your loving son
[[?]]
Lieut P.W. Chapman
55^th Battalion
14^th Infantry brigade
Egypt.
 

From  P.W. Chapman [[1008?]]
 Batt  1^st Reg't     Coy.
17^th September 1915
My dear Mommon
I have just read
your letter about 'Brecklin' I expect
everything will be much more comfitable
there, no extra work to be done. Gardens
always had a facination for me and
that is why I was so fond of South Hill.
But of course our sentiment sometimes
outweighs the practical. I have not
received the money that is supposed
to have been sent on. I did not trust
those post office officials at Liverpool
much, one of them seemed a [[??]]
[[?]] beggar, and when I inquired
about the letter I thought by the answers
I got that something was wrong. However
I have not been short so far. We only
get 2/- a day ever [[?]] and with a camera
and sightseeing that does not go very far.
Well to [[?]] to something more interesting
The other day I took a wander through
the [[?]] these are situated in a portion
of [[?]] called the [[?]] I took my
camera with me, it generally comes [[?]]
 

2
I go, but the streets here are [[?]]
and don't take a good photograph [[?]]
almost impossible as the people [[?]]
[[?]] are all morning. but the bridges
I did take will give you some idea
of the place. I and another chap called
Dennis Chapman did the rounds, rather
funny there being two Chapmans, and
he calls me [[???]], I'm not as
giddy as the rest. I suppose that is why
and I used to tell him stories of the
[[?]] coming accross in the [[?]]. I
have been trying to get a good snap of
a water carrier for some time the really
large jars of water which they sell in the
street but my luck seems out they all
want piastres to stand and I'm not
going to give one. We sighted what we
thought was a good prize but as soon
as he saw the camera was off with the 
sulks. I hurried round in front but
the beggar twigged me and [[??]]
through the crowd. Denny then tried to
[[?]] him with his camera but the
beggar nicked into a bazzaar. It was a bit
of fun. I running amongst the niggers
trying to get a snap. then Denny [[?]]
 

3
[[?]] while the crowd were laughing at &
the subject of our pursuit was getting
surlier every time and dodging for his
life. Cairo is a funny place I have mentioned
the fact that there is no Sunday here
haven't I? The Mohamedan Sunday is on
Friday the Jews on Saturday and ours on
Sunday or some shops are always open, the
theatres are open also on Sunday. In fact
we visited the bazaars on the Sabbath
inspected silks [[?]] etc. How do you [[?]]
the "[[?]]" relating to goods because I don't know [[?]]
etc. All these bazaars are in special little
streets of their own, the coffee bazaar sells
nothing but coffee, etc. I took a time exposure
of one but the figures are a bit blurred.
We also meandered our way through a couple of
mosques. I have already described some mosques
so wont go into details here as these were not
as pretty or as interesting as those already
described. About four o'clock we set out for
the [[?]] where we met Ted Mann and and
Clarksons, after that we returned to the [[?]]
Gardens for tea. These are large gardens
 

4
[[?]] centre of Cairo where there is a
[[?]] club and restaurant. I don't
[[?]] I have spelt the name right but
[[?]] hanged if I can spell. Miss Buckley
[[?]] to waist a good deal of red [[?]] on me
[[?]] I'm afraid it was to no purpose. After
[[?]] we hurried off to the "Kursle" this is
[[?]] theatre something like the Tivoli, but
a circus was performing the night we
[[paid?]] it the honour of our presence. the
performance was certainly worth the 5 piastres
which we paid for admittance. There is no
need to describe a circus they are quite
modern and all the same with the exception
that here the clowns speak in french &
their witty comments are lost. Going into Cairo
last night to visit the Kursaal again I met
a couple of Cairrites one had a red
phez on, one bought a paper written in
french and the heading referred to M^r Asquith
informing the house of Commons that during the [[?]]
the present week Russia had captured over 41,000
prisoners. I read this out to Teddy Mann and
Clarkson whereupon the little man said.
[[?]] vous Flaneau? I thought I had better cut
my sentences short so said 'un peu" and smiled.
"un peu" he repeated smiling and handed me the paper.
 

5
Merci Monsieur' I answered putting on my
best accent, and then I acted as interpreter
to the others. I'm not a wonderful French
[[scholler?]] but they go on foot. I started this
letter in the Y.M.C.A but thought there
may be an immergency call so have
come back to the tent. Things are rather
unsettled lately. A couple of days the
5th and 6th reinforcements were made into a
squadron, we have each been allotted a [[?]]
of our own and have orders to be ready to
move at a 24 hours notice. Of course there are
all sorts of canteen [[tales?]] as to our destination
Some say we go to Tripoli others to [[?]]
and yet a third that we go mounted to [[Galipoli?]]
All of which I suppose are wrong, a hundred
camels are being purchased I believe so it looks
[[?]] a desert march somewhere. We get very little
news of wvwnts here, the Egyptian papers contain
a couple of headings without any news. Little
nigger boys act as paper boys here and at daylight
you will hear, Egyptian Mail, paper, very good, very