This is one of a series of posts to mark the international Rugby players who served in, and survived, The Great War. If anyone has further information on the men concerned, I’d be most grateful if it could be added to the thread. Gareth Chapman, Frederick Ernest played for England and the Anglo-Welsh Internationals: 10 : 1910 W+ (1t 1c 1p) I+ F+ (1c) S+ (1c) ; 1912 W+ (1c) ; 1914 W+ (2c) I+ (1c) Anglo-Welsh Internationals: 1 : 1908 NZ- Frederick Chapman was born on 1888, in South Shields Played as a Wing/centre for: South Shields High School, Durham University, Westoe, Hartlepool Rovers, Durham Counties Profession: Medicine at Hartlepool Hospital War service: Temporary Surgeon in the Royal Navy, then Captain, Royal Army Medical Corps from 19 May 1915. He served at Gallipoli and in France; twice wounded. Remarks: Chapman was regarded as the greatest exponent of the side-step during his long career. Selected for the Anglo-Welsh tour to New Zealand in 1908. He played for Durham (7-29) and Anglo-Welsh (0-24) v the 1908-1909 Wallabies. He scored the first try ever at Twickenham, v Wales on 15 January 1910. “After the opening whistle, Wales kicked off towards the right touchline, with Adrian Stoop gathering the ball on the England “25” and fooling the Welsh defence when he decided to run rather than kick into touch. He put in a short kick, with the English forwards regathering and winning the ball from the ensuing maul before the scrum half Dai Gent set John Birkett into a hole. Birkett took advantage of the disorganised Welsh defence to race trough the middle before passing to teammate Fred Chapman as he came to the Welsh fullback Jack Bancroft. Chapman then outpaced the cover defence to score the first try at Twickenham, right from the kick-off. England went on to bury their twelve year losing streak against the Welsh, running out winners 11-6.” He died on 8 May 1938
CHAPMAN, Dr Frederick Ernest Younger brother of Robert, Frederick Chapman studied medicine at Durham University. However, his greater claim to fame was as an English Rugby Football International. He was considered to be the most talented rugby player of the six Chapman brothers and, like many rugby players from the school, was also a member of Westoe Rugby Club. Freddie Chapman also represented Durham University and Durham County, and later joined Hartlepool Rovers. He is credited as scoring the first try, the first penalty goal and the first conversion at the first ever International match at Twickenham Stadium (opened in 1909) on 15th January, 1910. http://www.boyshighschool.co.uk/people/boys/index.htm
As an English player, he's probably best remembered for his goal kicking than try scoring, given that scoring tries has never really caught on in his home country. Gareth.
