CHALMERS, John
| Service Number: | 4446 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 August 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland, 1874 |
| Home Town: | Lambton, Newcastle, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Plumber |
| Died: | Complications during surgery , Woodville Red Cross Home, Randwick, NSW, Australia, 25 March 1919 |
| Cemetery: |
Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW Portion: General; Section 35; Lot 43 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Sawyers Gully Memorial Gates |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4446 | |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan 1916: | Involvement Private, 4446, 3rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: RMS Osterley embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 15 Jan 1916: | Embarked Private, 4446, 3rd Infantry Battalion, RMS Osterley, Sydney | |
| 4 May 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 3rd Infantry Battalion |
Help us honour John Chalmers's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Julianne Ryan
Father William Chalmers (d. 12/02/1932) and Mother Ann Chalmers (d. 09/12/1922).
1894 married: Rachel Chalmers (nee Hardy, d. 18/02/1941)
they lived at Hobart Road, New Lambton, NSW
Previous service:
15 years Scottish Rifles
Described on enlisting as 37 years 1 month of age; married; 5' 5.5" tall; 121 lbs;
fair complexion; blue eyes; brown hair; Presbyterian; tattoos both arms
24/08/1915 enlisted in Newcastle, NSW
15/01/1916 embarked Sydney, NSW onboard RMS Osterley
as a Private with 3rd Battalion, 14th Reinforcement
15/01/1916 embarked as an Acting Corporal
29/03/1916 embarked onboard HT Transylvania to join British Expeditionary Forces,
ex Alexandria
04/04/1916 disembarked into Marseilles, France
04/05/1916 reverts to Lance Corporal
08/06/1916 taken on strengh of 3rd Infantry Battalion
04/12/1916 on Command at 1st Ausralian Division Wood Cutters
01/05/1917 accidental scold of right foot - admitted to hospital, France
29/05/1917 rejoined unit, France
14/08/1917 granted furlo (leave) to UK
26/08/1917 returned from leave to France
22/10/1917 sick with Pleurisy - admitted to 17th Casualty Clearing Station, Wimereux
05/11/1917 sick with gastritis
embarked to England onboard HT Princess Elizabeth
06/11/1917 admitted to 2/1st Southern General Hospital
13/03/1918 embarked to Australia onboard Dunvegan Castle - sick with Gastritis
24/05/1918 returned to Australia onboard HT Tofia - List D, left Capetown
14/06/1918 disembarked into Australia
20/11/1918 still with AIF in Australia
30/11/1918 discharged from service
25/03/1919 Lance Corporal Chalmers died from complications in an operation
from an illness received in service, at the Newcastle Hospital
26/03/1919 Buried in:
Sandgate General Cemetery, Sandgate (Newcastle), NSW
Portion: General; Section 35; Lot 43
The Newcastle Sun:
The Union Jack was flown from the flagstaff in the park in respect for one who had done his part for the Empire, and the Mayor attended the funeral to represent the council and citizens. Several returned soldiers also attended.
Lance-Corporal Chalmers was a great enthusiast and an exponent of the bagpipes, and was widely known through the district in that capacity. He returned from service some months ago.
His name is commemorated on:
- Panel 35 at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT
- New Lambton War Memorial Gates
- Lambton / New Lambton Municipal District Roll of Honor
Medals: British War medal (30078) and Victory medal (29896)
Submitted by Julianne T Ryan. 22/03/2017. Lest we forget.
Click images to start slideshow.