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Eric was born on the 9th June, 1919 to Leonard Lindsay and Myrtle Mary Chuck. He was the oldest of three brothers, his siblings being Reginald Lindsay and Stanley William. Most of his life was spent in Kalangadoo, in the south-east of South Australia, near Mount Gambier. The township grew around the rail line and station but was also part of a strong farming community.
The boys all attended the local Kalangadoo School where they enjoyed the end of year school picnic. The first was held in ’28 on a day the school committee declared a public holiday. Parents, friends and excited young students were taken to the picnic site on a local farmer’s property by motor car. (The farmer’s son, Bryan Hemmings was 10 months older than Eric and was later to also enlist just a few days after Eric as SX8979, rising to become a Captain in the 2/43rd Battalion. Aged 24, he died of his wounds in Egypt on the 5th November ’42.) In the afternoon races, Eric won the 9–10-year-olds race. That same year at the Prize Evening held in the Riddoch Memorial Hall, Eric was named as coming second in his Grade III Class. With memories of WWI still strong, the opening of the evening was particularly patriotic. The South Eastern Times reported that ‘The children marched on to the platform and turned to the front on a chord from the piano. The children then waved a welcome to the audience. And at a signal from the piano, all pointed to a streamer which unfurled at the rear of the platform, bearing the words "Lest We Forget."
Each successive year the picnic became a feature. In ’29 it was held on the local cricket grounds with the children, headed by the school band, marching from the school. Again, Eric proved to be a worthy athlete, winning the 10-12 race, high jump, sack race and with Henry Mules, the three-legged race. The cricket ground was again the venue the following year with the addition of a bun and a tin of sweets for each student after their march. Eric individually and with Henry repeated their success, with Eric adding the motor tyre race to his portfolio. That year he also teamed with Daniel Mathews for a school project initiative, promoted by the Director of Education. The two worked a vegetable-growing project but omitted to keep accounts of their expenditure. Another student was involved with a rabbiting project, with the comment made that ‘we hope that they will switch off on to some agricultural venture and use the present project as a means of finance.’
The initiative for students in ’31 was to compile information on South Australian goods under their brands or maker's name, resulting in welcome publicity for local manufacturers. Eric won the prize for Kalangadoo for his collation of information. At the conclusion of the year, the Minister for education also awarded Eric for Qualifying exhibitions.
Post school, Eric became a carpenter, but also enjoyed returning to his school to celebrate its milestones in ’36. It had opened in July 1892 in an old chapel on the Millicent Road, before a purpose-built school was constructed in 1904, with extensive additions in 1914. On the celebration day, Eric helped with cool drinks and was one of the many past scholars.
Eric’s interest in scouting saw him become a patrol leader as was his brother Reginald with both heavily involved in fund raising through concerts and display of skills, including ambulance work, tent pitching, signalling and campfire songs, which were to be of enduing use in the future. When the Scout Leader, a teacher was re-assigned a new school in ’36, Eric became the Assistant Leader, supported by patrol leader Reg. Chuck. By ’39 Eric was confidently speaking at a farewell to the President of the Kalangadoo Scouts, commenting ‘in eulogistic terms on the excellent manner in which he had always acted as president, and expressed the desire that his interest would still be as keen in his new sphere.’ With his extensive skills as a carpenter, Eric was instrumental in building a new Scout Hall, which was formally opened in March that year. All his time was freely donated with funds for materials being raised by the Scouts.
Unfortunately, a case of appendicitis saw Eric hospitalised early the following year, but he quickly recovered to return to his local interests including as a member of the Herd Testing Association.
Eric also made time to be involved in local sport, including cricket, at which he excelled. The Border Watch of December ’37 observed that ‘The Kalangadoo players treated the Old Scholars' bowlers with scant respect and five men passed the twenties’ adding that ‘E. Chuck collected 24 runs from his one over. Chuck retired at 38 with one six and seven boundaries.’
The outbreak of WWII meant that Eric had, of necessity to be replaced as Scout Master. He enlisted a month after his 21st birthday, on the 3rd July 1940 becoming SX7666 and was allocated to the 2/48th Battalion. (His other brothers also enlisted, Reg on the 31 July ’42 as Private SX20117 and Stan on the 27th July ‘43 as a Leading Aircraftman 140827.) Eric’s initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before he and other new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training. He was however, soon to return home on sick leave to recuperate as he had contracted Rubella. He was then able to return to his battalion.
Just prior to Christmas, Eric was again home on a week’s pre-embarkation leave. Soon after, he and his fellow 2/48th Battalion, boarded the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940 and disembarked on the 17th December. He contracted mumps which required hospitalisation until he was able to return to the 2/48th Battalion completing a few months training in Cyrenaica. The next stop was to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees. Once there, they completed a few months training in Cyrenaica.
Several of those in the 2/48th Battalion were so appreciative of the work of the Fighting Forces Comforts Fund, a letter of appreciation was published in the Mail in August ’41. It stated in part “We receive periodical Comforts Fund issues of chocolate, oranges, cigarettes, tobacco, saving soap, tooth brushes, and numerous other comforts, which, to us in the Western Desert, are now luxuries. It is impossible for me to express in mere words just how these issues are received, and the manner in which they are appreciated. We have, on so many occasions, been scratching for cigarettes, tobacco, writing paper, etc., which are so difficult to obtain here. Then, just when it appears to be a 'smokeless' or 'letter-less' few days until our army issues, invariably and magically up pops a Comforts Fund issue, and saves the situation. This week, particularly, we were right out of these little comforts, and along came an orange, two cakes of chocolate, a packet of toffee, and writing paper, with a further parcel of cigarettes. As we are, at the moment, in a far from pleasant position, it just decided the boys that a direct, written appreciation, be sent immediately. If the contributors to your fund, and the helpers who work so hard getting away the parcels, could only see the smiles which light up desert-hardened faces as we dive in our beg of comforts like children at Christmas, I am sure that they would feel amply rewarded.
“Ever since leaving Australia regular issues have been our good fortune, and every soldier has nothing but praise for the work and thoughtfulness of all concerned with the organisation. Would you please accept and convey to your contributors and workers the heartfelt appreciation of all those whose signatures are attached hereto for what you and they have done to bring comforts which are regarded as luxuries in the front line, to us at all times.” Not unexpectedly, Eric was one of the 28 signatories.
Eric and many other friends from his region were to become one of the now famed Rats of Tobruk in a battalion which was to be highly regarded and decorated. One of these young men was James Sutherland SX8881 from Millicent who had enlisted just days after Eric.
James was killed in action on the 22nd July ’42 and in the same battle, Eric was wounded. At that stage, orders had been received to capture West Point of Tel el Eisa in a dawn attack. In late June ‘42 with Rommel crossing into Egypt, the 2/48th were in an offensive to capture Trig 33, which was achieved on the 10th July. In doing so, over 400 Italian prisoners were taken. The 2/48th battalion then advanced south, capturing the Tel el Eisa station and repelling numerous counter attacks. However, they were eventually forced to withdraw, having suffered over 100 casualties. The 2/48th battalion suffered 215 casualties between the 7th July and 23rd October. Of that number, 64 men were killed and six, died of their wounds, including Art. 125 other men were wounded but survived.
In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John G. Glenn described the ferocious encounter;
‘When the troops were well forward of the start-line they came under terrific fire from shells and mortars from the front and left and suffered heavy casualties. With the slow deliberate movement of perfectly trained soldiers both companies continued the advance in perfect formation, over ground that trembled and erupted with vicious explosions. Through this, sometimes obscured by the smoke and dust, the men moved, and, as they advanced, the fire kept place with them, leaving behind the still shapes of fallen men among the camel bush and sand.’
Back home, the local Border Watch reported in their August edition the tragic news. The paper also noted that two of James friends in the 2/48th had also been wounded in action during recent fighting in Egypt. They were Private Eric J. Chuck, of Kalangadoo, SX7666 2/48th and Private Kenneth J. Grindell, of Mundalla SX13569 2/48th. Eric was wounded with a gunshot wound to his right buttock, causing him to be taken to hospital. On his discharge, he joined the Infantry trig Battalion until he was able to re-join the 2/48th Battalion.
Throughout August, the Adelaide based newspapers released the names of those killed or wounded in that battle. Included with Eric were several others from his battalion. They were SX7666 Pte. E. J. Chuck, Kalangadoo SX14872 Pte. James S. Darwent, Coonawarra. SX13569 Pte. Kenneth. J. Grindell. Mundalla. SX7996 L/Sgt. Colin R. Jacka , Adelaide. SX13300 Pte. Leon W. Jackson, Cowell. SX8019 Pte. Elliot Maloney, Birdwood. SX9555 Cpl Charles T. Matthews. Iron Knob. SX7312 Pte. Charles D. Rosenberg. Adelaide. SX7933 Cpl. Walter H. Stewien. Verdun. SX11860 Pte. Eric R. Teakle. Ungarra and SX13709 Pte. Laurence C. Walker. Beverley. The Border Watch also shared in September ’42 that ‘Mr. and Mrs. L. Chuck, of Kalangadoo, have received advice that the condition of their son, Pte. Eric Chuck, who was recently wounded in action in the Middle East, is most satisfactory, and that he is now able to walk again.’ However, two months later a further report was published that ‘Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Chuck, of Kalangadoo, have been notified that their eldest son, Private Eric Chuck, has been wounded for the second time in Egypt.’ In that incident, Eric received a gunshot wound to his head which he was fortunate to have survived. He was one of 67 wounded at the time. Typical of those serving, Eric also tended to underplay his injuries with his parents receiving news in January ’43. ‘Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Chuck, of Kalangadoo, have recently received an autograph letter from their son Eric. A.I.F. Abroad, saying he is well and sends his regards to his friends at Kalangadoo.’
Eric was finally able to leave the Middle East and return to Australia via Melbourne in February ’43. This preceded training in Queensland to face at totally different enemy in very tropical conditions in New Guinea. Eric suffered stomach complaints early in ’43 but was eventually able to re-join his group. He married Oriel Constance Haines on the 10th March ’43. The young couple eventually had three children, Leonard, Jill and Robert.
By September ’44 Corporal Eric was able to return from New Guinea to have time with his wife and family. His two injuries, particularly his head wound, caused headaches, resulting in him being granted leave, which was followed in July ’45 with Sergeant Eric finally being discharged in August that year. His brothers, Reg and Stan were both discharged the following year in March.
A huge welcome home celebration was organised for January ’46 in the Kalangadoo Institute with visitors coming from surrounding districts. The hall was decorated with red, white and blue and the Union Jack was draped on either side of the words 'Welcome Home,’ which were outlined with red flowers. Dancing and numerous speeches followed before the men were made a presentation and given a certificate. Eric and those present then observed two minutes silence to honour the memory of those comrades who would not return. It was a poignant moment to which Eric responded on behalf of the guests. This was followed by the singing of ‘For They are Jolly Good Fellows’.
By ’47 Eric was able to join others with whom he had served in the Riddoch Memorial Hall, Kalangadoo, which was packed to capacity on 26th November, when members from surrounding R.S.L. sub-branches joined in celebrating the home branch's annual dinner. Mount Gambier, Mount Burr, Tantanoola, Glencoe, Penola, Nangwarry and Millicent were all represented. Eric and his school mate of the three-legged race fame, Henry Mules (who had served as SX16204 with the Transport company) were part of the group in charge of refreshment.
Eric’s wife Oriel, readily became involved in the community, becoming President of the school Welfare Club in ’47 whist Eric also continued to be a strong, ready worker for the Kalangadoo R.S.L. Sub-Branch. His efforts were particularly noted in the President’s report. “I cannot conclude without mentioning certain members who, have done so much for the sub-branch in their own way during the past 12 months. I am sure I am expressing the thought of everybody when I mention Eric Chuck and Sam Basheer for the excellent manner in which they have carried out their arduous tasks as stewards; they have done their job thoroughly and have been a tremendous help in all ways.”
Eric continued his involvement with the RSL, becoming Chairman in ’51 and President in ’52, raising much needed funds for the Welfare branch of the RSL. He also acted as MC for numerous events including raising funds for the Kalangadoo Memorial Park to build a road around the sports ground.
Ever the pro-active community man, Eric was also praised for his quick actions in January ’52. The Border Watch reported that ‘With the temperature well over the 100-degree mark, volunteers attended three fires in the district yesterday. Two were observed in the mornings after a train had passed through Kalangadoo. One was at a crossing 1 ½ miles south of the town and the other about two miles the other side. Prompt action by a railway ganger (Mr. R. Robinson) and Mr. Eric Chuck saved what might have been serious fires.’
Eric attained his 83rd birthday but died three weeks later on the 23rd July 2002. Her was buried in the Carinya Gardens cemetery at Mount Gambier, in the Water Lily 3 Plot: Allotment AE, Row 8.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion