Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

A scarce and well-documented Great War R.N.A.S. Observer’s 1917 D.S.C. and 1918 Second Award Bar group of eight awarded to Wing Commander C. Chapman, Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force, for his skill and gallantry in flying photographic reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines, combined with spotting for Monitors and Naval Siege Guns on successful shoots over the Belgian coast. Based at Dunkirk and operating in Sopwiths with 2 Squadron, Chapman was regularly subjected to frostbite as well as hostile fire from anti-aircraft and enemy aircraft during his isolated missions. He was awarded the Bar to his D.S.C. for flying lead spotter for the bombardment of Ostend, 21 March 1918.

After the war Chapman retrained as a Pilot and saw service in Bristol F.2b’s with 6 Squadron in Iraq, and with 14 Squadron in Palestine. He served as Deputy Chief Royal Air Force Advisor to the Chief Press Censor during the Second World War.

Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R. (hallmarks for London 1917), with Second Award Bar, reverse of cross additionally engraved ‘Lieut. C. Chapman. R.N.A.S. Dec. 12th 1917’; British War Medal 1914-20 (Capt. C. Chapman. R.A.F.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (Cyril Chapman); Victory Medal 1914-19 (Capt. C. Chapman. R.A.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Jubilee 1935; Iraq, Kingdom, Active Service Medal, no clasp, Second War medals loose as issued, remainder mounted as worn, light contact marks overall, nearly very fine or better (8) £4,000-£5,000

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D.S.C. London Gazette 19 December 1917:
‘In recognition of the great gallantry and skill displayed by him on the 18th October 1917, when he carried out a photographic reconnaissance in spite of adverse conditions and intense cold, as a result of which he was severely frostbitten. He has repeatedly carried out valuable photographic reconnaissance at long distances behind the enemy lines under very heavy and extremely accurate anti-aircraft fire and despite the tactics of enemy aircraft.’

The recommendation states: ‘With reference to the attached report of operations by No. 2, Squadron, I beg to call your attention to the performance of Observer Lieutenant C. Chapman, who in spite adverse conditions and intense cold, as a result of which he was severely frostbitten, carried out the duties allocated to him.
For a period of 8 months he has repeatedly carried out valuable photographic reconnaissance at long distances behind the enemy lines under very heavy and extremely accurate anti-aircraft fire and despite the tactics of enemy aircraft.
He has also carried out successful spotting with the Monitors and Naval Siege Guns.
In connection with the work carried out by this Squadron it is desired to emphasise the fact that the nervous strain of proceeding such long distances over the lines unaccompanied or accompanied by only one machine is very great. So much so that pilots and observers unable to stand the strain in the past have asked to transfer to other 2 or 4 seater squadrons.
This Officer is strongly recommended for a D.S.C. or other decoration.’

D.S.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 26 April 1918:
‘In recognition of his services on the 21st March 1918 when he carried out successful spotting for the bombardment of Ostend. On other occasions he has carried out valuable reconnaissance for the Fleet.’

Cyril Chapman was born in October 1893, and was a native of Little Wakering, Essex. Prior to the Great War he served as a Private with the 10th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Chapman was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant, for Observer’s duties, in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, 30 June 1916. He carried out initial training at Crystal Palace, Signal School Portsmouth and at Eastchurch before being posted to R.N.A.S. Dover at the start of 1917. He flew operationally with 2 Squadron (Sopwiths), R.N.A.S. at Dunkirk from February 1917. The Squadron were primarily engaged on Spotting and photo reconnaissance of Nieuport, Zeebrugge and Ostend. Chapman was appointed Observer Sub-Lieutenant, Royal Naval Air Service, 1 April 1917. Four days later his Log book gives, ‘Photo to Zeebrugge shelled by mole. Companion Mach. hit.’

Chapman continued to fly a large number of such sorties throughout the remainder of 1917, culminating in the award of the D.S.C. Despite being a victim of frostbite, and regularly coming under fire from both hostile aircraft as well as anti-aircraft fire, Chapman continued with his isolated work into 1918. Described as a ‘plucky and determined Observer’, and having advanced to Observer Lieutenant, Chapman often flew as 1st Wireless Transmitter on successful shoots over the Belgian coast. One such occasion was 21 March 1918, when he carried out successful spotting for the bombardment of Ostend and ultimately was awarded a Bar to his D.S.C. The circumstances surrounding the operations on that date are described in Big Gun Monitors by I. Buxton:

‘The big German land offensive started on 21 March 1918. That night a minor diversion was made by three groups of German destroyers bombarding the railway between Dunkirk and Nieuport. As usual, a force of monitors and destroyers was anchored offshore to frustrate such operations, the enemy vessels being spotted in the early hours of the 21st. As the latter opened fire from seaward Terror fired star shell and followed up with her 6in. British and French destroyers from Dunkirk had slipped and were approaching fast, so the German forces retired to Ostende, hotly pursued. Terror and her patrol consort, M.25, were of course too slow for such an engagement, but when Keyes heard of the action he ordered Terror to bombard the enemy ships, now holed up in Ostende. In the afternoon she anchored offshore and from 26,500 yds put thirty-nine rounds into the dockyard before enemy return fire and smokescreens prevented further bombardment. Considerable damage was done in the Gare Maritime area, although none of the destroyers was hit. Inevitably there was also casualties to Belgian civilians and houses.’ (Big Gun Monitors by I. Buxton refers)

Chapman flew with Flight Commander Bayley as his pilot for the operation. During the latter they flew as 1st W/T, and the Squadron Record Book gives the following detail:

‘W/T machine arrived in position at 1458 and sent by W/T code to Monitor “Ready to Observe”. No answer was received so continued to send C.B. at intervals until 1508. The long buzz was then received and after usual time of flight of shell, observed burst about 900 yards West of Piers just on the edge of water. Another shot followed and fell about 100 yards east of the first. These shots were spotted and corrections given as “Under 1500 yards and starboard 800”. Following shots probably fell in the town roundabout the railway station, as bursts were observed in the vicinity of the station, which owing to the thick smoke screens, were exceedingly difficult to judge between bursts of shell and bursts of smoke screen. Later, two shots were observed to fall on the Ateleries de la Marine and a further two or three just alongside in the water sligh...