First man ashore at Gallipoli was Queensland Lieutenant Duncan Chapman

OF ALL the Anzac legends, one of the biggest claims to fame belongs to a Queenslander.

HE WAS the Digger who took the first bold step. Orders dictated officers had to travel in the bow of the 36 rowboats approaching the Gallipoli shore in the inky pre-dawn light.

The man crouched low in the lead craft facing the most trepidatious of encounters was Queenslander Lieutenant Duncan Chapman, a pay master in civilian life.

Described as “a fine gymnast’’ by his former teachers at Maryborough Grammar School, he sprang from the boat and launched himself into the unknown.

In a letter to his brother Charles, written nine weeks after the landing, Lt Chapman wrote: “To me was given the extreme honour of being actually the first man to put foot ashore on this peninsula, to lead a portion of the men up the hill in that now historic charge.

“What a living hell it was too, and how I managed to go through it from 4 o’clock in the morning of Sunday, the 25th April, to Wednesday, the 28th, under fire the whole time, without being hit is a mystery to me.

“We have firmly established ourselves now, and although the Unspeakable has made various attempts to dislodge us, and threatened to push us into the sea, his efforts have been abortive.’’

In another letter to his brother, Fred, Lt Chapman, part of the 9th Infantry Battalion, told of the suspense and excitement in the lead-up to the landing. “As our boats sneaked on in the early morning light, many of us wondered who would be the first to go.

“It is a peculiar experience and one of extreme suspense to be crouched down in a small boat making towards a hostile shore not knowing the size of the force opposed to you … and then to suddenly come under heavy machine gun and rifle fire.’’

The day after the landing he was promoted to captain.

Unlike many of his platoon, Lt Chapman survived the eight-month campaign in the Dardenelles, only to die in August 1916 on the Western Front. He was killed in the bloodbath of Pozières in France after achieving the rank of Major. He was 28.

His hometown of Maryborough will unveil a fitting tribute to Duncan Chapman at 5.15am on April 24, the day before Anzac Day. The town has raised $60,000 for a statue and memorial called Dawn of the Anzacs to be located at Queens Park.

The display will contain stones and sand from Anzac Cove and depict the first man ashore gazing towards the unexpectedly high cliffs the moment the first shot rang out. Attending the unveiling will be about 230 passengers travelling the WWI Troop Train. Chapman has a number of relatives, most descendants of his older brother Fred and youngest sister Clara.

Lt Duncan Chapman’s great great nephew Riley Cook, 8, with father Fraser in front of the Marybrough Centataph. Pic: Glenn Barnes

Fred Chapman’s son Duncan, named in his uncle’s honour, is now 92.

“My dad spoke often of him and named me after him,” he said.

“ His achievements were many and I often try to imagine all the things he may have done with his life if it hadn’t been cut so short.”

Originally published as First man ashore at Gallipoli was Queensland Lieutenant Duncan Chapman