Paparoa Flood Hero Dies In Auckland

Northern Advocate, 22 August 1945, Page 2

Paparoa Flood Hero Dies In Auckland

(Special.) AUCKLAND, This Day. The rescue of four people during floods in Northland 25 years ago is recalled by the death in Auckland this week of Mr Charles Augustus Chapman. Born in Sydney 60 years ago, Mr Chapman had been in New Zealand since 1905, residing most of that time in the Auckland Province.

During floods in Paparoa in March. 1920, Mr Chapman carried out acts of | conspicuous bravery at great personal j risk. He was awarded the Albert Medal by the King, and also received the Royal Humane Society’s gold lifesaving medal. Waters which had been dammed by a landslide following a cloudburst swept into the township and inundated houses. When news of this disaster reached Mr Chapman at five o’clock in the j morning, he put on a bathing costume | and set out for the township two j miles away. He arrived to find two men .clinging to timber in the middle of the flooded river, while a crowd of terror-stricken people looked on helplessly from the bank. He was fatigued from running, but swam out twice in the swirling waters with a ladder and brought both men to safety. Mr Chapman next turned his attention to a woman and her child, who were clinging to the branches of a submerged tree. He swam out, but was unable to rescue them, so he returned 'and obtained a wooden form, which he proceeded to tow out. The rope broke. but his second effort, after a length of wire had been obtained. was successful, and he brought the child first, and then the mother.-to the bank.

Mr Chapman was an excellent swimmer, having won championships in Australia and New Zealand. He was prominent in Rotorua and Wellington as a member of the Druids’ Lodge. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Mrs Hull and Mrs Coleman, both of Auckland, and a son, Able-Seaman V. Chapman, of the Royal New Zealand Navy.