Enlisted at London on the 13th of May 1851.
Age: 22.
Height: 5' 7".
Trade: Brick-maker.
He is shown as being absent from the 16th of September 1853 and of rejoining the regiment on the 1st of November 1853.
Tried by a District Court-martial at Hounslow on the 9th of November 1853 for "Desertion — and losing his necessaries". Sentenced to 112 days' imprisonment with hard labour, and to be marked with the letter "D." He also forfeited all of his previous service and rights to pension by his conviction for this offence. He was released from custody on the 20th of February 1854.
In connection with his desertion the following two letters are known to have been sent:
"To Major Hay, Commanding the E.I.C. [East India Company] Depot, Warley, Essex.
Horse Guards,
23rd Oct. 1853.
"Sir,
The O/C of the 17th Lancers having reported that James Watson, alias Edward Chapman, a deserter from that Corps, is at present supposed to be with the E.I.C Depot. I am authorised to request that, upon the arrival of an escort which will be sent for that purpose, you will deliver the man up to be forwarded in the usual manner to the 17th Lancers, where he will be identified as a deserter."
A further letter was sent to the Paymaster of the 17th Lancers at Hounslow:
"Horse Guards,
2nd Nov. 1853.
Sir,
You are hereby authorised to pay T.S.M. W. Stephens the sum of 9/0 for travelling expenses incurred in proceeding from Hampton Court to Warley Barracks for the purpose of identifying James Watson, alias Chapman, a deserter from the Regiment, now serving in the E.I.C Depot."
See the record of 868 William Purvis, 17th Lancers, for details of how it became known that Chapman was at the E.I.C. Depot.
Embarked for India from Cork aboard the S.S. "Great Britain" on the 8th of October 1857.
The muster rolls for the period July-September 1858 show him as being "On Detachment at Sholapoor" during the whole of this period.
Served in action against the rebels at Zeerapore on the 29th of December 1858 and at Baroda on the 1st of January 1859.
Sent to Bombay on the 23rd of November 1863, on passage to England from the 21st of January 1864, and at the Canterbury Depot from the 21st of May 1864.
Discharged, "time expired", from Canterbury on the 28th of May 1864.
Served 12 years.
Conduct: "Latterly good."
In possession of two Good Conduct badges.
He went onto the "A" Reserve at East London on the 5th of July 1866.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
Can find no trace on the Mutiny medal roll.