Bosleys Military Auctioneers
Lot 539
1916 Royal Marine Artillery Anti-Aircraft Brigade Belgium DSM, MSM 1914 Star Long Service Group.A scarce group of six awarded to Colour Sergeant Frederick George Chapman who after service with the Royal Marine Brigade at Ostend, was awarded the DSM with the Anti Aircraft Brigade in 1916 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal 1951. Comprising: Distinguished Service Medal “7919 SERGT F.G. CHAPMAN RMA A-A BDE BELGIUM 1915-6”, 1914 Star with clasp, “SERGT R.M. BRIGADE”, British War Medal, Victory Medal, “RMA CR. SJT”, Royal Navy Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (GVR Admiral Bust), “SERGEANT RMA”, Royal Navy Meritorious Service Medal (GVIR), “PO27919 C. SGT F.G. CHAPMAN DSM 28.2.1951”. Medals are mounted as originally worn. ... Accompanied by a mounted as worn miniature medal group, less MSM”. ... Also a RMCC silver medallion. Colour Sergeant Frederick George Chapman was born at Deal in Kent in December 1884, and enlisted as a Boy into the Royal Marines in 1899. Trained as a Bugler, he transferred to become a Gunner in 1902 and was appointed Corporal 1911 and at the outbreak of the Great War had attained the rank of Sergeant. In August 1914 he was posted to Ostend as part of the Royal Marine Brigade and during this time his service papers note him wounded. During September to October 1914, he appears to have been attached to the Royal Flying Corps in France. In January 1915 he was posted to the Anti Aircraft Brigade and continued to serve with this unit throughout the war. He was awarded the DSM London Gazette 22nd June 1916 and the RN. Long Service & Good Conduct Medal in January 1918. Promoted Colour Sergeant in October 1918 after the war he reverted to RMA duties and remained with the Corps until December 1923 and was recommended for the award of the MSM which was granted in 1951. Following his discharge he maintained links with the Marines acting as a Steward in the Sergeants Mess and later as a Canteen Superintendent.
