CHALMERS, Alexander
| Service Number: | 1340 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 26 April 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Captain |
| Last Unit: | 1st Pioneer Battalion |
| Born: | Woonona, New South Wales, Australia, 17 November 1890 |
| Home Town: | Wallsend, Newcastle, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Engineer draughtsman |
| Died: | 30 September 1934, aged 43 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, NSW |
| Memorials: | Hamilton War Memorial, Newcastle High School Honour Roll, Wallsend St Andrew's Presbyterian Church Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 26 Apr 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Sapper, 1340, 1st Field Company Engineers | |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Sep 1915: | Involvement Sapper, 1340, 1st Field Company Engineers, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '5' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: SS Makarini embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 15 Sep 1915: | Embarked Sapper, 1340, 1st Field Company Engineers, SS Makarini, Melbourne | |
| 18 Apr 1918: | Honoured Military Cross, 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 57 From 26/2/1917 to 20/9/1917 for consistent good work and efficiency. | |
| 18 Aug 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Captain, 1st Pioneer Battalion, Medical Disability, Bronco pneumonia |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From AWM and Bullecourt 1917 - Musée Jean et Denise Letaille
An engineer draughtsman prior to enlistement, Chalmers enlisted as a Sapper and embarked with the 8th Reinforcements, 1st Field Company Engineers from Melbourne on HMAT SS Makarini on 15 September 1915.
After transferring to the 1st Pioneer Battalion he was first promoted to lieutenant in March 1916, then captain in August 1916. He took part in the battles around Bapaume and Bullecourt, for which he was awarded the Military Cross on 1 January 1918.
The first pioneers were trained in 1916 and engaged in all the actions undertaken by the 1st Australian Division, particularly on the Somme. In the Bullecourt sector they were tasked with installing a light railway system to Frémicourt as part of the preparations for the Battle of Bullecourt.
Alexander Chalmers returned to Australia in late 1918 (Medical Disability: Bronchitis-pneumonia) where he married Olive Hews (engage pre enlistment). He then worked as a civil engineer, and died in 1934 at the age of 44.
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