Wilfrid Chapman

Brigadier Wilfrid Chapman FIE (1891-1955)^[1] was an engineer, soldier and botanist after whom Eucalyptus chapmaniana was named.

Early years

Born 16 May 1891 at Wandsworth, London, son of Frederick Chapman, a geologist's assistant, and his wife Helen Mary, née Dancer. In 1902 the family came to Australia where Frederick took up his appointment as palaeontologist at the National Museum, Melbourne, and served as the first Australian Commonwealth Palaeontologist 1927-1935.

First World War

• Enlisted 7 June 1915
• Egypt & France
• Commissioned 29 September 1917
• France
• Discharged 31 July 1919

Post war

• At the Collins Street Independent Church, Melbourne, on 13 December 1919 he married Marea Feori Anastasia Maniachi with Congregational forms.
• Re-employed by the railway construction branch
• University of Melbourne (B.C.E., 1923; M.C.E., 1925).
• made his name as a pioneer in the use of electric arc welding for structural purposes
• 1931 Chapman joined E.M.F. Electric Co. Pty Ltd as engineer in charge of research and development

Second World War

• Called up for part-time duty on 1 January 1940
• lieutenant colonel, he commanded the 2nd/2nd Army Field Workshop which he took to Palestine
• colonel, chief ordnance mechanical engineer at A.I.F. Headquarters
• He made some important innovations in the design of mobile workshops and was mentioned in dispatches
• In January 1943 he was made chief superintendent of design. Promoted temporary brigadier in August
• In November 1945 he transferred to the Reserve of Officers as an honorary brigadier

Post war

• 1946 joined the Commonwealth Department of Transport as director of civil engineering in the railway standardization division
• From 1946 he had been vice-chairman of the Standards Association
• 1949 Chapman was one of three distinguished engineers upon whom the University of Western Australia conferred a doctorate of engineering honoris causa — a distinction in which he took such pride that he thereafter styled himself Dr Chapman.^[1]

Death

• 6 May 1955 at Mount St Evin's hospital, Fitzroy; survived by his wife and son

References