Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

‘Everything Will Come Right in the End.’

Born in Crystal Brook on the 8th August, 1902, Henry was one of 13 children, born to John and Emma Jane (nee Hugo) including Mabel Elisabeth, Frederick John, Stanley Michael, Violet Doreen, Albert Burton, Arthur Bowman, Adelaide Jubilee, Lavinia Dalton, Hurtle William, Leslie Thomas, Ada Amelia and Olive Lilian.

Henry or Harry as he was known, became engaged to Clarice Ruby Maud Gregory of Wandearah West, a small grain farming area near Port Pirie. Clarice was an only daughter with five brothers. She and Harry married in the local Wandearah Methodist Church on February 19th, 1927. The young couple then lived in the small Eyre Peninsula town of Pygery, ironically derived from an aboriginal word meaning ‘fighting place’. While there, their first son, Colin was born in November 1932 at the Wudinna Hospital. They then moved to near-by Minnipa where their second son, Brian Edward was born. At that stage, Minnipa, on the Eyre Peninsula was a flourishing town which served the local grain farmers through the busy railway connections. This provided work for a number of men, including Henry whose role was as a railway packer, creating the foundation ballast under and between the rail sleepers designed to keep the line level and stable.  

Henry was 37 when he enlisted to become SX8207 on the 19th June 1940, at a similar time to 26-year-old Gordon Broad SX7556, also of Minnipa. With both young men having done their initial training at what is now the Wayville Showgrounds, they returned to Minnipa on pre-embarkation leave where a typical country farewell was organised for them in October of 1940. This was the fourth of such occasions the locals had coordinated for their ‘boys’ who had enlisted in the A.I.F. The members of the local R.S.L. formed an honor guard in the Minnipa Institute, with Mr Bockelberg, the President escorting Ptes. Chesson and Broad to the stage. As was traditional, the National Anthem was sung with the soldiers standing at the salute.

Clarice was presented with a bouquet of flowers and Gordon’s father with a buttonhole.

Mr Bockelberg ‘eulogised the sterling qualities of the guests, and extended the good wishes of the community for God speed and a safe return.’ The President of the Minnipa CWA then ‘presented a box of comforts to each soldier. On behalf of the people of the town and district, a presentation of a gold wristlet watch was made to each soldier by the president.’ Gordon and Harry both thanked the community for their kind remarks, fine gifts and attendance. The singing of ‘For they are Jolly Good Fellows’ heralded dancing, singing and a traditional country supper.

One of those attending was Corporal Bryan Holmes who had worked in Minnipa with Goldsbrough, Mort & Company. He had driven over with his mother, Ollie from Peterborough to farewell these new recruits.

As Ptes. Chesson and Broad departed from the Minnipa Railway Station, many locals, including teachers and students from the local school gathered to farewell Gordon and Harry with rousing cheers and wishes for a safe return before the two latest enlistees returned to camp.

Harry’s next leave was pre-embarkation in September. He, Gordon Broad and other Minnipa ‘boys’ boarded the Stratheden as part of the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. All served in the Middle East but in the fierce fighting that occurred in Palestine, Harry was initially reported as missing, date unknown, but probably on June 9th, 1941. At that stage the dust, flies, heat and water restrictions plus constant shelling made conditions particularly challenging in Tobruk. Clarice’s last letter from Harry was dated March 29th. An anxious wait ensued, with Clarice and her young sons travelling back to Wandearah and the comfort of her parents. Finally, by the 3rd September 1941, almost three months after his disappearance, Harry was officially confirmed as having been taken as a Prisoner of War by the German forces and interred in Stalag 18 in Austria. Another Minnipa soldier, Pte Parker was also confirmed as being a POW. Late in September, Clarice received a card from Harry, dated May 18, 1941 which she shared with the ‘West Coast Sentinel’.

“My dear Wife and Sons, I am a prisoner-of-war and I am well. When you write tell me all the news, and how you are all getting on, as I have not had any mail from you since March. Please let the others know about me. Make enquiries before you write to me. All things will be sent to me through the Red Cross that you send to me. If you send anything send some blocks of hard chocolate, as that will keep best. Hope everyone at home is well. Keep your chin up and keep smiling, as everything will come right in the end. Fondest love to all from your ever-loving husband and father.”

The date puts Henry’s capture as well before his report of missing in action. It more accurately suggests that he was captured during the fight for Hill 209 on the Bardia side of Tobruk, known as Sidi Daud. In his book ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John Glen described the conditions; ‘there were times when men had to hold their mess tins inches from their faces, so that a minimum of sand would cling to their food as they scooped it hastily into their mouths.’ It was in this environment that Henry was living, fighting and was probably captured.

Life Colin and Brian was as ‘normal’ as possible, including their Eight Hours Day picnic at magnificent Tcharkuldu Rocks. This was an area that was the main water supply for Minnipa in the early settlement days, through the extensive man-made gutters at the base that collected and stored water in an adjacent dam. Busses took the students, teachers and parents to the site where the billy was boiled and a feast set up before races for the children followed. At the conclusion of the day, the school Chairman referred to those absent Minnipa men who were serving overseas and especially “the pleasure of all on hearing of their old friend, Private Harry Chesson, school picnic handicapper in other years. Word had been received that Private Chesson was a prisoner of war, but safe and well.”

Again, in June ’42 through the ‘West Coast Sentinel’, Clarice shared the joyous news of a long-anticipated letter from Harry, written on December 7th. The letter stated that Pte. Chesson was well and happy, and that he was receiving a Red Cross parcel every week. The outstanding role of the Red Cross was further praised by Harry’s brother, Fred Chesson at Port Pirie. The ‘Recorder’ recounted Harry’s sentiments: “Listen to what he says (through his wife's letter): "Harry had not received a letter from us since March of last year, and he was delighted when he got one at Christmas. He says that he and his mates are comfortable in their prison camp, and that they receive Red Cross parcels each week, and enough clothing to keep them warm from the same source." There is more of it, but the point here has to do with what the Red Cross is doing. Pte. Harry's elder brother, Stan Chesson, was a prisoner of war in Germany for two years in the last war, so it seems to run in the family. On reading such letters as this one blesses the name of the Red Cross.” Sentiments that echoed throughout the fighting forces.

The power of communication was succinctly highlighted when numerous newspapers carried reports of a number of people hearing Harry speaking over the radio from Stalag 18 in December ‘42. His sister was less fortunate according to the ‘Recorder’. “Mrs. A. Poynton, wife of a Melton farmer, heard that periodic broadcasts were being sent over the shortwave from various enemy camps, so the family radio set, powered by batteries, was worked overtime for several months, Mrs. Poynton always hoping that she would fluke the voice of her brother. Recently the batteries went flat, necessitating a trip into Kadina to have them recharged. And while the lady was absent on her mission and her radio set was silent, the voice of Pte. Chesson came over clearly; neighbours heard him speak, and told the lady about it when she returned home. Is there no such thing as luck?”

Harry’s son, Colin was industriously progressing through school, topping his Grade 5 class in 1943,  and receiving a prize for his efforts at the Minnipa School Speech Night.

Clarice shared with the ‘Recorder’ a vivid dream she had experienced over Christmas in 1944, recalling the details the next morning at breakfast. In her sleep she had seen her husband, and had been assured that she would have him by her side on May 24 1945. The clarity of the dream and especially the date had been most clear. Weeks and months rolled by. Germany was over-run and the date crept closer. April passed, Germany fell, and still she hoped. As May passed, she became a little downhearted, for it seemed impossible with the time left that Harry could reach her - that was, if he were still alive and well. Finally, Thursday May 24 arrived and with it came a cable from her husband to say that he had arrived safely in Bari (Italy) and ‘hoped to be home soon.’ Harry had been a Prisoner of War in German hands for three and a half years.  He was finally in Allied hands, travelling on the ‘Western Europe’ to the United Kingdom and thence to Sydney on the ‘Rangitikei’. After a brief stay in hospital, he marched out to South Australia where he was finally able to re-join his family, being officially discharged on the 16th November 1945, officially reported repatriated.

The Minnipa community was overjoyed to have him return and celebrated in their usual style with a social on September 25th in the Minnipa Hall. Many of those who spoke at his enlistment again spoke of their pleasure at his return after four and a half years in prisoner of war camps in Germany and Austria. The ‘West Coast Sentinel’ reported that the speakers also paid tribute to the brave and courageous way Clarice Chesson carried on and kept the home fires burning while her husband was away.

13-year-old Colin and 7-year-old Brian were 8 and 2 respectively when their father had enlisted. A small insight is given in a letter Colin had published in the Chronicle, written to ‘Aunt Dorothy’ in October ‘45. Large newspapers of the time encouraged children to write in and also to donate in support of other children with intellectual disabilities at Minda, a residential home. Colin wrote:

“We have recently been over to Adelaide to meet our father who was a prisoner of war in Austria for four years, and at present he is in hospital We will be glad to have him home again. While we were there we went and saw the Zoo. It was not like I expected It to be. The best thing I liked were the black bears from North America. We went and saw the Art Gallery also. We went there just the day after it had been opened for the war artists paintings to be on show. They were all done in oil colors, and were about three feet long and two feet wide in size. We also went and saw the Museum and models of the bones of prehistoric animals and one of them was about 13 feet high. There were skeletons of monkeys and men and it was hard to tell the difference between them, except that the monkeys have got long fingers and toes. There were true Egyptian 'mummies' all wrapped up in cloth and there was even a cat wrapped up as a 'mummy.' I think It was In the Art Gallery or the Museum where we saw all the types of guns. There were flintlock pistols that the old-time pirates used, and a modern revolver and machine-gun. In the Museum there were tiny little hummingbirds, no more than two inches long. It Is very dull here today, a likely sign of some very-much-wanted rain but I suppose it will all blow away. The crops around here are very poor indeed, and some farmers haven't got anything at all. We have one cow, and her name is Buckley. We also have two pigs. For pets I have two cats and one kitten. The kitten it black, and it is a male, would you please give it a name? I have three rabbit-traps set and I am getting a rabbit nearly every morning. At school in the terminal exam, I came first, with 86 ½ marks out of 100. My brother, Brian, will be seven on October 24. and I will be 13 on November 6.

My teacher at present is Mr. Klaffer, and I like him very much. Brian's teacher is Miss Wilson. It takes us about five minutes to walk to school. The crows are very bad over here at present, and are taking our eggs. Mum set a rabbit trap and caught one the other day. A Liberator flew over here the other day. and in the afternoon six fighters and a bomber went over. Would some reader please send me the words of 'Where is My Boy Tonight?' I will close now. hoping you and the Minda children are all well. Please find enclosed 5d in stamps for Minda. COLIN CHESSON. I Do hope you will all have your father at home with you again, feeling quite well. I'm glad you saw so much of interest when in the city, Colin. One could really spend days wandering around the Museum. Did you also see the small one, mostly fruits and grain, in the Botanic Garden? I'm sorry the crows are such a nuisance.”

Two years later, Colin wrote his farewell letter, giving another insight into life post-war.

“We have just arrived home from a short vacation in Port Pirie and Adelaide, which occupied three weeks. During my stay in Adelaide, my uncle took me up through the hills in the train. We stopped at Belair and walked through the National Park. We stopped watching cricket for a while, and walked back to Blackwood around the road from whence we departed for Adelaide again. We went through two tunnels; the longest and the shortest. So far this month we have had 88 points of rain. Today there is a cool southerly wind blowing. We have one cat; he is black and white, and his name is Kit. We have one red cow, and her name is Buckley. This year I am in Grade IX at school, and I will be going to the Minnipa Higher Primary School. I came top of Grade VIII. with 305 marks out of 400. I have one brother and his name is Brian. He was eight years old in October, and will be in Grade IV. this year. My hobbies are: — Reading, drawing, science and bike-riding. I have a guitar, and I can play a fair few tune on it. Please find enclosed sixpence for Minda. COLIN W. CHESSON. So you must say goodbye to us Colin? I am glad though you will still read our page. Have you decided what you want to study for next year — you have good hobbies, and I am also glad you play the guitar. Again goodbye, and the best of good fortune for the future years.”

Harry resumed his community involvement, including a recitation at an amateur hour, held in the Minnipa Institute, with proceeds for the local Queen of Industry and Civil Servants. He and Colin also supported the United Nations Appeal for Children with the school’s father and son cricket fund-raising match which unsurprisingly, the sons won. Harry contributed 10 runs and Colin 1. By 1949 Colin was working in the Minnipa State Bank as plans for the construction of Memorial Gates at Goldsbrough's corner to honour the Minnipa enlistees, were passed. The generosity of locals enabled a pair of driveway gates, two hand gates and two bronze plaques fixed to the columns to the sides of the gates to be made. These would therefore serve as the honour roll for the district. Wilfred Henry Edward Chesson’s name was one of those to be commemorated.

Harry was one of the group from Minnipa who attended the opening of the new Memorial clubrooms of the Port Lincoln sub-branch of the RSL in October of 1954 with Pat McEvoy, SX2344 and others from Minnipa.

Having survived the conflict and conditions as a POW, Harry, Clarice and Colin had to face the loss of their son and brother with Brian’s untimely death, aged 23, just prior to Christmas in 1941. He was buried in the Port Pirie cemetery. Aged 68, Henry died on June 1st, 1971. Clarice lived into her 90’s and died in November, 1990. She is buried in the Pt Pirie Cemetery.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.