Mr Chapman received the honour at a town hall service marking the 100th anniversary on Saturday.

RSL NSW president James Brown said Mr Chapman’s service to the league “has been and continues to be outstanding and exemplary, and we are honoured to have someone of his abilities as a member of our sub-branch”.

Mr Chapman said it was “a great honour”.

It came on a busy and momentous day for the area’s veterans – of all ages, including as it did the Tamworth Young Veterans’ dedication of the Post 1973 Memorial.

See all The Leader’s photos from the day, here

The historic program began when Tamworth Regional Council bestowed the sub-branch with freedom of entry to the city, a ceremonial honour that evokes medieval walled cities.

It’s given to Australian military and civilian units as a mark of a city’s respect and gratitude for their achievements and service.

Acting mayor Helen Tickle presented the group with a plaque and a framed scroll documenting the honour.

“These two pieces will have pride of place within our sub-branch confines,” Mr Chapman said.

“I cannot emphasise enough how proud and honoured we, the members of Tamworth RSL Sub-branch, are for having this award bestowed upon us.”

Next, there was the town hall service, where Mr Brown conferred the life membership on Mr Chapman, and unveiled a brass plaque and a letter from Governor-General Sir Peter John Cosgrove, marking the 100-year milestone.

That night, there was a semi-formal dinner held for about 80 sub-branch members and guests at Wests’ Diggers.

Mr Chapman has been a member since 1994, serving on the committee; as district council and state congress delegate; museum curator; and president. 

His other roles include funeral celebrant, commemoration services MC and Anzac Day march co-ordinator. 

The nomination for life membership came from his local branch, then had to be put to the state body.

Asked if it had come as a surprise, he confessed he’d been given the heads-up.

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“They couldn’t hide it from me, because I was asked to go out of the meeting as the chairman of one of our general meetings late last year, and I thought, ‘What’s going on here?’” he said, laughing.

“A little birdie might have told me they were voting on me for life membership.”

Mr Chapman puts in three days a week at the sub-branch office, and was cited as “a meticulous and demanding administrator who gives the best of himself to our sub-branch”. 

But he told guests at the dinner he couldn’t do it alone.

​“Even though we are a charitable, not-for-profit organisation, our average hours of dedication a month is realised at around the 500 mark,” he said.

“And I see and feel the pressure – and, at times, angst – of this wonderful work we do and assistance we provide.

“I thank our two vice-presidents, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, committee members, three trustees, three very busy pension officers, Father Tom Shanahan, Reverend Chis Wright, home and hospital visitation staff and RSL funeral officials,” he said.

Mr Chapman said it was “wonderful” to have been made a life member.

“The thing that really struck me was I’m being conferred life membership as the president at the 100th anniversary of our branch,” he said.

“It’s a double whammy, so to speak.”