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The Chapman Family
(Brad's Maternal Grandparents)
Albert Norman Chapman
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Born September 20th, 1918 in Mexborough, York, a north-east county of England, Albert (or Norm, as he was more commonly known) was the seventh child of George William Chapman and Jemima Wake. His mother succumbed to the Spanish Flu epidemic which raged across the World in 1918, and died just six weeks after giving birth to Norm. As his father was unable to take care of a new-born baby, Norm was sent to live in an orphanage.
At the age of three, Norm was sent to live with his mother's brother Arthur Wake in Glasgow, Scotland. It was here that 12 year old Norm first met a young school girl named Maud. Rumour has it that Norm caught the attention of Maud by pulling on her pigtails, and young love soon blossomed!
Norm and Maud were married on September 30, 1938 in Glasgow. They moved their growing family to Australia in 1953, settling in Maryborough, Queensland, where Norm worked as a bandmaster for the Salvation Army. In April 1955, their eldest daughter Isobel was tragically killed whilst running errands for her mother. In an effort to alleviate the heartache of this tragedy, the family packed up their belongings and headed south, settling in Maitland, NSW.
Norm's life-long interest in soccer led him to become the first person to introduce soccer as a competition sport in the Maitland area.
Although he retired from coaching in the early 1980's, Norm continued to attend matches, giving advice to the many youngsters who played for his beloved team.
In the late 1980's, the soccer oval in Norm's hometown of Rutherford, NSW, was renamed to the "Norm Chapman Oval" in recognition of Norm's services to local soccer. A very proud day for all of our family!
Sadly, Norm passed away on February 3rd, 2001 after several years of health scares and illnesses.
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Albert & Maud on the day they
got engaged
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The Chapman family
Circa 1953
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Albert & Maud on the day they
were married - September 30, 1938
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In October, 1988, an article was written about Norm and Maud's 50th wedding anniversary. This appeared in our local newspaper, the Maitland Mercury. In honour of Nan and Pop, I'd like to share that article with you.
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Sunday School Hair-Pulling Led To 50 Years' Marriage
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Maitland Celebration
A Rutherford couple who became "childhood sweethearts" after meeting at Sunday School as children, have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Norman and Maud Chapman married on September 30, 1938 at the Salvation Army Citadel in Glasgow, Scotland.
"We met at Sunday School when we were only children," Mrs Chapman recalled this week.
"Norman and I were just friends to start with but we became childhood sweethearts"
Mr Chapman had an unusual way of getting Mrs Chapman's attention. "I used to pull her hair - that's how she got to know me," he said.
The couple immigrated to Australia in 1953. They have lived at Rockhampton, Maryborough (twice) and Maitland. Rutherford has been their home for the past 20 years.
They have five children - Norman Chapman, Marion Smith, Carol Jones, Ron Chapman and Patricia Henry - 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mr and Mrs Chapman celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with family and friends at a party at Maitland CWA Hall on Saturday, October 1. They entered the hall to the sounds of bagpipes played by members of Maitland Pipes and Drum Band.
The party's highlight was the cutting of a special golden anniversary cake decorated with tartan ribbon, thistles, bluebells and heather.
Mr and Mrs Chapman agree they couldn't have hoped for a better marriage. "We had our difficult times, but side by side we pulled through," said Mrs Chapman.
Mr and Mrs Chapman believe the secret to a happy marriage is co-operation. "You've got to pull together," Mrs Chapman said.
"You make your wedding vows - for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health - and that's the way it should be."
"You stick together no matter what happens," Mr Chapman said.
"We recently attended our granddaughters' wedding, and I told my granddaughter if you stick to your wedding vows you will be celebrating your 50th anniversary in years to come," said Mrs Chapman.
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Maud Sarah Ann Kyle
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Born August 20th, 1916 in Liscreevaghan, Tyrone, Ireland, Maud was the eldest child of Thomas Alexander Kyle and Isobella White.
Unfortunately, not a lot is known of Maud's early years as she was a very private person, and regretfully, my interest in genealogy did not start until shortly before her death. One conversation I do recall occurred when I was about five years old, and I steadfastly refused to eat my vegetables! Nanna proceeded to tell me how when she was a little girl her family were so poor, they survived on nothing but potatoes and home-grown vegies. Needless to say, it was not uncommon to be served three different potato dishes
when having dinner at Nanna's house!
One of the highlights in Maud's life occurred in 1988, when her family organised a surprise 50th wedding anniversary party for her and Norm. A Scottish band complete with bagpipes were hired to play "Oh Danny Boy" - Maud's favourite song - upon their arrival to the party venue. Among the guests attending were a few of Maud's family members, who flew in from England and Scotland
especially to attend the party.
Maud died on May 19, 1991 as a result of complications due to pnuemonia.
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Their Children
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Norman
Born: July 05, 1940
Died: September 18, 2002
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Isobel
Born: December, 1941
Died: April 06, 1955
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Marion
Born: June 16, 1943
Died:
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Carolyn
Born: October 30, 1946
Died:
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Ronald
Born: June 02, 1948
Died:
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Patricia
Born: December 12, 1956
Died:
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Created : March 28, 2000
Updated : November 06, 2007
© Moon & Back Graphics 1998-2008.
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Now Playing : Danny Boy
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