CHAMBERS, Keith
| Service Number: | 239 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 August 1914, Enlisted at Sydney, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 4th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Gravesend, Kent, England, 1892 |
| Home Town: | Redfern, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Gallipoli, Turkey, 1 May 1915 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Panel 21, Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Haymarket NSW Government Railway and Tramway Honour Board, Lone Pine Memorial to the Missing |
World War 1 Service
| 17 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Corporal, 239, 4th Infantry Battalion, Enlisted at Sydney, NSW | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 1914: | Involvement Private, 239, 4th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '8' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Oct 1914: | Embarked Private, 239, 4th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Euripides, Sydney | |
| 1 May 1915: | Involvement Corporal, 239, 4th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 239 awm_unit: 4th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Corporal awm_died_date: 1915-05-01 |
Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board
Keith Chambers was born at Gravesend, Kent, England about August 1892. On his Attestation Papers, signed 21 August 1914 he gave his calling as ‘clerk’ and also stated that he had some military experience in the school cadets. At the time of enlistment, he was not married, but shortly before embarkation he married Dorothy Beatrice. This information was supplied to the military authorities by Benjamin Cooke, Private detective, who was foster father to Chambers and the nominated next of kin prior to the marriage. In a later (1920) statement by Dorothy, claiming Keith Chambers’ medals, she revealed that she had been keeping company with him for about 14 months prior to the marriage and that she had lived with him on good terms until his leaving for active service.
He left Australia through Sydney on board HMAT ‘Euripides’ on 20 October 1914.
Submitted 23 May 2023 by John Oakes
Biography contributed by Carol Foster
Address at the time of enlistment was 34 Pitt Street, Redfern, NSW
Next of kin given as his foster-father Benjamin Cook of 28 Alfred Street, North Sydney, NSW. Later changed to his wife Dorothy Beatrice Chambers later known was Dorothy Beatrice Jones of Coogee, NSW. Keith and Dorothy were married on the 3 September 1914
Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Biography contributed by John Oakes
Keith CHAMBERS (Service Number 239) was probably a temporary labourer in the maintenance branch of the tramways in Sydney in 1914. Keith was born at Gravesend, Kent, England around about August 1892. On his Attestation Papers, which were signed on 21st August 1914, he gave his occupaion as ‘clerk’. He also stated that he had some military experience in the school cadets. About a week before embarkation he married Dorothy Beatrice. This information was supplied to the military authorities by Benjamin Cooke, Private detective, who was foster father to Keith.
Keith left Australia via Sydney on board HMAT ‘Euripides’ on 20th October 1914. He was assigned to the 4th Australian Infantry Battalion. He must have disembarked in Egypt and become part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force which landed at Gallipoli, on or soon after Anzac Day.
He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 1st May 1915. He was buried in Wire Gully. This location has been lost. His name is recorded on the Lone Pine Memorial.
Dorothy re-married and lived until about 1964.
- based on notes for the Great Sydney Central Honour Board
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