David Markwell Chapman was the son of John Pattison Chapman, a Grocer from Sunderland, and his wife, Mary Ann.

There is no evidence that he went to Westoe Secondary School as a pupil. However, he was appointed to the teaching staff there in January 1902.

He had attended Durham College of Sciences (Armstrong College) and graduated with a BSc, and a 2nd Class Teaching Diploma. During his time at the college, he had trained with its Office Training Corps.

He joined the 3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) and served as a Lieutenant in France, where he was killed in action on 25-Mar-1918.

There is a memorial to him at the Pozieres Memorial in the Somme.