Circumstances of Casualty: Killed in Action. He advanced with the second wave of infantry along with his gun crew, in the initial advance about 5.30 a.m. on April 9th 1917, in the capture of Vimy Ridge. He got safely past the line of craters in “No Man’s Land” but was not seen after. His body was found four days later in a shell hole and his injuries were such as to indicate that he had been hit by a shell and instantly killed.
BX April 27, 1917
Private J.W. Chapman Killed – Was Member of Dufferin Rifles Company in 76th Battalion
PARIS, April 27 – Another Paris boy has made the supreme sacrifice in the great struggle for freedom, Mrs. Chapman, West River Street, receiving word yesterday that her son, Pte. James William Chapman had been killed in action on April 9. Private Chapman enlisted with the Dufferin Rifles and went to Camp Niagara as a member of the 76th Battalion In April, 1916 he went overseas, where he was transferred to a machine gun company, and had been in the trenches since last August. Deceased was born in Glasgow, Scotland, 26 years ago and came to Paris in 1907, and had since resided here, where he was held in high esteem by all who knew him, being a splendid type of young manhood. He was a member of the Baptist Church and also of Court Harmony, A.O.F. Besides his widowed mother, three sisters and one brother survive, Mrs. Clark of Brantford, Robert and the Misses Lily and Margaret at home, as well as his fiancée, Miss Eva Cousins, of Paris, to whom the sympathy of the community will be extended in their sorrow.
BX May 7, 1917
Memorial Service
An impressive memorial service was held in the Baptist Church last night in memory of the late Pte. James William Chapman who was killed in action at Vimy Ridge on April 9. The choir was draped in purple and black, and the auditorium was filled with an attentive congregation. The pastor, Rev. Mr. Langton, preached a very impressive and thoughtful sermon, basing his remarks on John II, verse 25, “I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” During the service, Miss Jean Randall sang with much feeling, “God Shall Wipe Away all Tears.” At the conclusion the audience remained standing while the organist played the Dead March in Saul.
BC December 15, 1917
Private James W. Chapman is another Paris boy who has made the supreme sacrifice in the great struggle for freedom and right. Word was received by Mrs. J. Chapman West River Street, that her son Pte. James W. Chapman had been killed in action on April 9th. He enlisted with the 38th Dufferin Rifles in June, 1915, and later transferred to the 76th Battalion.
In the spring of the following year he went overseas, and had been in France since August 1916 and had taken part since that period in some of the fiercest fighting at the front, being attached to one of the machine gun crew. Private Chapman was born in Glasgow, Scotland and in his 27th year. He came to Canada 10 years ago settling in Paris, and for some time was employed in the Penman shipping department. For three years prior to his enlistment he had been engaged with Mr. John P. McCammon, and was highly esteemed in the community. He was a member of the Baptist Church and the Baraca Bible Class. Besides his widowed mother, three sisters and one brother survive: Mrs. Clark, Brantford; Robert and Lily and Margaret at home.
