Annie Stuart writes:-

Richard was bought up in Hythe, Kent England . He graduated from the Hythe School in June, 1899 at the age of 16 with passes in English Grammar, Arithmetic, English History, Geography, Bookkeeping, French, Latin and a distinction in Scripture History.

The Hythe School was a private day and boarding boy's school run by Mr.Bertram T. Winnifrith. Mr. Winnifriths wife ran a similar school at Hythe for girls. The school was originally at Prospect House in Prospect Road, Hythe parallel to High Street. The Hythe School celebrated its 53rd Anniversary in 1902, by which time the school had grown from 3 boarders to nearly 40, necessitating a move from Prospect House to larger premises - Beaconsfield House and its neighbour on Marine Parade.

On leaving school Richard served an apprenticeship as a jeweller.

1901 English Census.
74 High Street Sandgate Hythe Kent.

Alfred D Cottrell. Head of House. Single. Age 34. Male. Watchmaker. Shopkeeper. Employer working at home. Born London St. Pancras.

Richard F. Chapman. Boarder. Single. 17. Male. Watchmaker's apprentice. Born Berks Reading.

From 9th September, 1903 to 31st March, 1910, Richard was a soldier in the Royal East Kent England Mounted Rifles and on his discharge, he held the rank of Corporal.
In 1910, Richard worked his passage on a ship to New Zealand as a cook or cook's assistant. He joined the Auckland, New Zealand Mounted Rifles in 1910 and saw active service with this regiment in World War 1 in Zeitoun, Egypt.

Richard met Anna Dorothy Bek in New Zealand and they were married at St. Johns Church, Glebe, Sydney, Australia on 5th January, 1921. After the marriage, Richard and Dorothy returned to New Zealand where Richard remained with the Auckland Mounted Rifles (reserve of officers) until about 1928.

Richard and Dorothy's first born children were twins, Robert Fuller Chapman and Winifred June Chapman (my mother) born on 16th June, 1923 in Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand. Their last child was Peter Chapman born 11th July, 1925 also in Remuera.

The Chapmans moved back to Australia around 1926 and lived at Bondi, Sydney. In later years they lived at Bellevue Hill, Sydney. Richard resumed his career as a jeweller later in life. Anna Dorothy Chapman died in 1971 and Richard died in 1972 in his ninetieth year.