Commemorated: | |||
Awards & Titles: | Albert Medal | ||
Early Life :
James was born 3rd February 1860 in Kirkaldy, Fife, Scotland, the son of Alexander Chapman and Margaret Chapman (née Whitton). In c.1885 he moved to the important shipbuilding town of Jarrow, then part of County Durham, but now part of Tyne and Wear. Working initially as a Boilersmith, by 1908 he was working as a Works Manager at the Mercantile Dry Dock Company.Service Life:
Campaigns:
| Unit / Ship / Est.: |
| Action : War Survivor |
Although many perished in times of national conflict and in the service of their country, many more survived including those interned as Prisoners of War. Stories of those who did survive are included as part of this site, especially those with high gallantry awards, those included against an external rolls of honour and those who had a distinguished career in wartime and military leaderhip.
Detail :
His Albert Medal citation appears in the London Gazette: 23rd July, 1909. "
James Kennedy Chapman, joint citation with Thomas McCormack – ́On the 27th November, 1908, workmen were engaged painting the inside of an iron tank in the stokehold of a steamer lying in dry dock at Jarrow. Owing to the fact that very strong fumes were given off by the anti-corrosive paint or solution used the men were working in relays, each squad of three men being relieved after 10 to 15 minutes had elapsed. A workman named Graham was overcome by the fumes, and the chargeman, Archibald Wilson, sacrificed his life in endeavouring to save Graham. Thomas McCormack, who had already been affected by the fumes while at work in the tank, went to Wilson ́s assistance, but was himself rendered insensible, and was rescued by James Kennedy Chapman, Works Manager at the Dock, who, having pulled McCormack out, re-entered the tank and endeavoured to save Graham, but was himself overcome by the fumes. The rescue of Chapman and Graham was eventually effected from the top of the tank."
The Jarrow Express 30th July 1909 also records the action which leads to him receiving the Albert Medal: " THE JARROW DOCK RESCUE. HEROES HONOURED BY THE KING. Among the recipients of the Albert Medal (second class) at the investiture held by the King at Buckingham Palace last Thursday were James Kennedy Chapman, works manager of the Mercantile Dry Doc, Jarrow; and Thomas McCormack, a painter, employed at the same place, who on the 27th November last went into the tank of a steamer lying in the dock to the rescue of a man who had been overcome by fumes of a composition which was being used. Archibald Wilson who also went into the tank to attempt a rescue was himself overcome and died, and His Majesty directed that his medal should be forwarded to the widow."
His death and his funeral were recorded by the Shields Daily News 14th October, 1925 the article of which reflects a great number of mourners, including the Worshipful Master and brethren from the St. Bede Lodge who preceded the hearse.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | St Hilda No. 240 E.C. | Durham |
| Joined : | St Bede No. 1119 E.C. | Durham |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
13th January 1902 | 19th March 1902 | 21st April 1902 |
Joined St Bede Lodge from St. Hilda Lodge No. 240 on 27th May, 1908. He was recorded as a Shipyard Manager, resident at Curlew House, Jarrow.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley