Helen Chapman

Australian Children's Author

Deadly Waters

100+ fiction and non-fiction titles published across Australia and overseas — from her latest historical novel to classroom favourites still going strong in schools.

Historical Fiction · Now Available

Deadly Waters (Australia's Second World War)

Deadly Waters follows a young man’s journey before and during WWII in the Pacific — inspired by the real-life experiences of Cliff Hopping, a story told to the author by her own father.

As a teenager, Cliff dreams of playing cricket for Australia. Instead, he trades whites for a navy uniform, facing exploding mines, submarine attacks and kamikaze pilots — never knowing if he’ll see his sweetheart Marie again.

  • 100+ books published
  • ISBN : 9781743835104
  • Age Level : 9+
  • Published : May 2023

Deadly Waters is a fiction book about the experiences of a teenager before and during WWll in the Pacific. However, parts of the book are based on the real-life experiences of Cliff Hopping. Here you’ll find a few of Cliff’s photos and memorabilia. You can click on the images to enlarge them.

Cliff was interviewed for a newspaper about his experiences during WWll in the Pacific. This extract appeared later as quote of the week.

Cliff appeared in the ABC’s documentary program Compass: ‘Walking Wounded’ where he talked about suffering from and undergoing treatment for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).  The link to the transcript is:

https://www.abc.net.au/religion/watch/compass/compass-walking-wounded/10143218

Note: The content is not suitable for younger readers.

Family Photos

Each photo has a caption you can read by hovering over the image.

Baby Cliff on his dad’s Harley Davidson motorcycle, Braidwood, NSW
Cliff as a toddler, Braidwood, NSW
Cliff as a toddler, Braidwood, NSW
Few people could afford to buy a car. Most used public transport or bikes.
Cliff’s little mate!
Cliff discovered Wollongong beach.
Cliff had an older sister, Jean. Jean isn’t in the book as she didn’t add to the plot. Here’s a photo of her alongside their brother Jack and with Cliff in front. On their left is a friend also called Jean.
High School Photos
High School Photos
RAN Completion of Signalman’s Course, Edgecliff Depot
RAN Summer uniform
Sadly, there aren’t any photos of a young Marie but here’s a story she wrote as a 12 year old.

RAN Life on board a Corvette: HMAS Coombar, Hobart, Tasmania

Each photo has a caption you can read by hovering over the image.

Newcastle, NSW: War Savings Certificate Drive, Cliff in front row 3rd from right. Despite Cliff getting fed up with all the marching these words are his: ‘In 6th class I was the drummer when classes were marched into school. It was pretty good!’
Recruiting March, Hobart, Tasmania. Cliff 3rd from right in front row
Clearing Minefields, Tasmania with the 20th Minesweeping Flotilla including: Warrengo, Swan, Mildura, Lithgow, Warrnambool, Durraween,
Wet weather gear, Hobart, Tasmania
Gangway Duty, Hobart, Tasmania
Passing messages to other ships
Sleeping where you can. (Photo credit: Hobart Mercury)

War on the Home Front

Each photo has a caption you can read by hovering over the image.

This is an image of the handwritten version of the Seamen’s Union diagram of merchant ship casualties. Refer Figure 1 in the book. (Fitzpatrick & Cahill, 1981:117, Maritime Union of Australia) CLICK ON MAP TO ENLARGE
This is a colour image of the Seamen’s Union diagram of merchant ship casualties. Refer Figure 1 in the book. (Fitzpatrick & Cahill, 1981:117, Maritime Union of Australia) CLICK ON MAP TO ENLARGE

Life on the Home Front

Each photo has a caption you can read by hovering over the image.

Marie on the right alongside sister Aura with Helen behind.
Photo Marie sent Cliff of herself, far left, sister Helen alongside and sister Aura, to Helen’s left in the same row. There were many such functions organised for American and Canadian service personnel who were temporarily stationed in Sydney.
During wartime the young girls who could ride were trained in long distance country riding. The idea was that if Canberra was invaded they were to “ride to Sydney and sound the alarm”. Marie was such a good rider that she was the only one allowed to ride the stallion.
Close up of Marie in traditional Greek costume.
Marie showed Cliff this newspaper cutting during their picnic at Bondi Beach. Marie’s on left with sister Basie in the centre and Rosa on the right. On the home front many organisations held fundraisers for the war effort.
Cliff’s poetry book
Cliff on leave in Sydney with Marie and friend Thelma. From Marie: ‘I was a very good swimmer. I won a vase for coming first in a school competition.’ The author Helen still has this vase.
And this is the studio photo!
Cliff on leave in Sydney with his mum Mary and sister Jean. Cliff’s mum took him into town to get a professional photo taken in a studio. In this chapter Jean is referred to as a neighbour, not sister.

War in the Pacific

Each photo has a caption you can read by hovering over the image.

HMAS Australia
The captain explaining the next operation – the Battle of Morotai Island, Netherlands East Indies
HMAS Australia. Dawn, taken just prior to commencing bombardment Noemfoor Island, Dutch New Guinea
Christmas Cards
Christmas Cards
HMAS Australia bridge and foremast damage after an aerial attack by a kamikaze pilot
HMAS Australia: Kamikaze damage to ship in the Lingayen Gulf.

Historical Fiction · Now Available

Praise for Deadly Waters

‘Deadly Waters’ by Helen Chapman, is a great insight into the role of the Australian Royal Navy during various WWII encounters with enemy vessels and aircraft along the east coast of Australia.

Seen through the eyes of young seaman, Cliff Hopping, this semi-biographical account recalls his experiences on the high seas. A young man’s dreams of adventures to support King and country are contrasted with the harsh realities of war and active combat. Jeanette Lever

 This book is part of Scholastic’s ‘Australia’s 2nd World War’ series and as someone who knew little about Australia’s involvement in the war close to home, this book was quite an eye opener. The story is a true one, based on the author’s father’s wartime experiences as a signalman in the navy, and as such the voice is authentic and believable. There are some exciting battle scenes but these are paired realistically with the horror resulting from being attacked at sea by kamikaze pilots. Highly recommended to anyone interested in WW2, particularly Australia’s role in defending local waters. Kesta Fleming

This book literally made me burst into tears it was so good I couldn’t put it down the whole night and I’m still thinking about it! 

Ezel Kucukbas. , Deadly Waters

An excellent read, you can feel the sun on your back and smell the grass during the childhood cricket games, hear the engines scream as the planes drop from the sky in attack and smell the cordite as the guns fire in response.

The bravery of Cliff as he stands at his signalling post with hell erupting all around is truly inspiring.

As well as the true nature of war, there beautiful moments of laconic Aussie humour, heart-rending loss and enduring love showing the resilience and humanity of people in times of adversity.

Helen has captured a time in our history so well you feel as if you were there, and lest we forget. 

Peter Graham , Deadly Waters

Deadly Waters is loosely based around events the author’s father experienced during his time in the Navy during WW2. Well written and convincing, this action-packed historical fiction story takes readers on a realistic voyage that gives many inside glimpses of life at war on the high seas. Adventure, white-knuckle fear and friendship sit side-by-side with horror and love. While written for readers of 10+, it is also an appealing read for young adults.

Diana Harrison , Deadly Waters

Deadly Waters

Deadly Waters 100+ fiction and non-fiction titles published across Australia and overseas — from her latest historical novel to classroom favourites still going strong in schools. Historical Fiction · Now Available Deadly Waters (Australia’s Second World War) Deadly Waters follows a young man’s journey before and during WWII in the Pacific — inspired by the […]