CHALMERS, James
| Service Number: | 16526 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 October 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 1st Field Company Engineers |
| Born: | Minmi, New South Wales, Australia, 17 October 1895 |
| Home Town: | Minmi, Newcastle, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Draftsman & Surveyor's Assistant |
| Died: | Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia, 28 May 1961, aged 65 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Minmi Roll of Honour, Sydney New South Wales Department of Lands WWI Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 9 Oct 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Sapper, 16526, 1st Field Company Engineers | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Dec 1916: | Involvement Sapper, 16526, 1st Field Company Engineers, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '5' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Orsova embarkation_ship_number: A67 public_note: '' | |
| 2 Dec 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Sapper, 16526, 1st Field Company Engineers, HMAT Orsova, Sydney | |
| 7 Mar 1918: | Honoured Military Medal, Broodseinde Ridge, During the operations east of YPRES on 4th October 1917, he was employed as a runner between strong point on BECELAERE RIDGE and Company Headquarters WESTHOEK. He had to pass through the enemy barrage eight times in the execution of his duty, but each time his despatches were delivered safely and in quck time. While not acting as runner he worked on the construction of the strong point and displayed very great coolness and pluck throughout the operation. When his Section was relieved he volunteered to guide the relieving section. Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31 | |
| 11 Sep 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 16526, 1st Field Company Engineers, 2nd MD |
Help us honour James Chalmers's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Sharyn Roberts
Recommendaton for Military Medal
'During the operations east of YPRES on 4th October 1917, he was employed as a runner between strong point on BECELAERE RIDGE and Company Headquarters WESTHOEK. He had to pass through the enemy barrage eight times in the execution of his duty, but each time his despatches were delivered safely and in quck time. While not acting as runner he worked on the construction of the strong point and displayed very great coolness and pluck throughout the operation. When his Section was relieved he volunteered to guide the relieving section.'
Returned to Australia 16 June 1919
Biography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
The Minmi Roll of Honour has 78 names inscribed of those who returned home from The Great War.
The 70th name inscribed is Lance Corporal James Chalmers.
On the 28th May 1961, Lance Corporal James Chalmers M.M., 1st Australian Field Company Engineers (Reg No-16526), draftsman and surveyor's assistant from Back Creek, Minmi, New South Wales, died at Cessnock, N.S.W., age 65 years 7 months.
I do not know where James is buried or ashes interred, so any information would be greatly appreciated.
Born at Minmi, New South Wales on the 17th October 1895 to James, died 30.11.1928, Cessnock, N.S.W., age 78, buried at Cessnock Cemetery, N.S.W., no death or funeral notice located, and Jane Chalmers, died 11.12.1931, Cessnock, N.S.W., age 80, sleeping at Cessnock Cemetery, N.S.W.
James enlisted on the 9th October 1916 with the December 1916 Reinforcements, age 20 years 11 months, at the R. A. Show Grounds, Moore Park, N.S.W.
Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A67 Orsova on the 2nd December 1916.
Disembarked Plymouth, England 17.2.1917.
Taken on Strength 1st Australian Field Company Engineers 24.5.1917.
Appointed Lance Corporal 13.10.1918.
Granted leave to Paris from 28.10.1918 to 13.11.1918 and to France and England from 19.1.1919 to 25.2.1919.
Commenced return to Australia 16.6.1919.
Awarded Military Medal.
'During the operations east of YPRES on 4th October 1917, he was employed as a runner between strong point on BECELAERE RIDGE and Company Headquarters WESTHOEK. He had to pass through the enemy barrage eight times in the execution of his duty, but each time his despatches were delivered safely and in quick time. While not acting as runner he worked on the construction of the strong point and displayed very great coolness and pluck throughout the operation. When his Section was relieved he volunteered to guide the relieving section.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31.
Date: 7th March 1918.
James arrived home on the 4th August 1919, being discharged on the 11th September 1919.
Older brother Alexander Chalmers, born 18.5.1890, Minmi, New South Wales, married miner from School Hill, Minmi, New South Wales and Back Creek, Minmi, N.S.W. (1917) and Kalingo Street, Bellbird, N.S.W., 34th Battalion, Reg No-2543, enlisted 11.9.1916, age 26 years 4 months, Newcastle, N.S.W.
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
For more detail, see “Forever Remembered“.
http://www.commemoratingwarheroes.com/minmi-roll-of-honour/.
Lest We Forget.