Photo of Duncan Chapman statue in floodwaters has haunting echoes of Anzac landing

Amid devastation and emergency warnings in Maryborough, an image of the city’s war hero and first man ashore at Gallipoli instantly earned its place in the history books.

It’s as though you are right there with him as he launches forward onto the sands of Gallipoli with water lapping at his feet and rowboats close behind.

A haunting photo of a monument to the first man ashore at Gallipoli, Duncan Chapman, is going viral after floodwaters inundated the war memorial in Maryborough’s Queen’s Park, inadvertently recreating the scene of that first morning on April 25, 1915.

The statue of Maryborough son, Major Chapman, was surrounded by water as the Mary River rose on the weekend, with the surrounding vessels created for the memorial, which were never meant to be submerged, creating a sombre reminder of the landing at Anzac Cove.

The image, which was taken by Jackie Burridge, was shared on social media more than 800 times and attracted hundreds of comments.

A teacher at Granville State School, Ms Burridge said the Anzacs were especially close to their hearts because of the war memorial on the grounds of the school.

“Last year was its 100th anniversary and I worked with other staff and students to do a mural at the school,” she said.

“I’ve also taught Year 6 in recent years and we took the kids to the Anzac walk in Queens Park as part of their history unit.

“Because of these influences, I know a bit about Duncan Chapman.

“When we visited the park yesterday and saw the water at his feet, I was moved by the incredible significance of that moment.

“The rain added to the eeriness of the scene.”

“A tragic but beautiful ‘re-enactment’,” a post from Maryborough State High School, where Lt Chapman was a student, read.

Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien also posted about the poignancy of seeing Lt Chapman’s statue surrounded by water.

“The landmark Gallipoli to Armistice, Maryborough’s Anzac Memorial and Duncan Chapman take on a new stoic silence in the floodwater,” a post on his page read.

A stunning view of the Gallipoli to Armistice memorial surrounded by water on the weekend Photo: Jade Wellings, Paul Truscott.

Nancy Bates OAM, who came up with the idea for the memorial and campaigned tirelessly for it to be built was moved by the image and also shared it.

“Jackie Burridge took this eerie photo of Duncan landing,” she wrote.

“It’s a classic.”