Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Henry, known as Ben, was born in the Victorian town of Casterton on the 6th December 1907 to May McClure and Benjamin Chester.
Ben had been working as a cook when, aged 33-year-old he became one of the early enlistees for WWII on the 29th June 1940, being given the number SX7165 and placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Following training at Woodside, Ben had brief leave before embarking on the Stratheden on the 7th November and arriving in the Middle East on the 17th of December.
Ben was soon to earn the highly respected title of being a Rat of Tobruk. Ironically this was originally used in a leaflet drop by the Germans as a taunt to destroy morale and prompt the troops to surrender, rather than live like rats in their hand-hewn dugouts which were infected by rats and flies. By May ‘41, the conditions experienced in the dust, heat and poor conditions probably contributed to a series of infections and arthritis in Ben’s right hip resulting in him being hospitalised. Inevitably, he was classified as permanently unfit for service. By July ‘41
By June ’41 unwanted news arrived, with Ben’s mother being informed that ‘her only son, Private H. B. Chester, received in-juries while in action and was safely evacuated on May 20.‘ The Advertiser carried Benjamin’s photo in a full page of images of soldiers killed, wounded or missing.
300 wounded soldiers returned to Australia from aboard a hospital ship from the Suez in June ‘41. Fortunately, their voyage was described as ‘uneventful’. When interviewed, all praised the exceptional treatment given by army medical men in the line, at casualty clearing stations, in hospitals, by Red Cross representatives and the Salvation Army. Stories emerged of the success of bayonet charges and shell fire, plus the reluctance of the Italian men to fight in a war they had little passion for. Aboard the ship with Ben was another soldier from the 2/48th Battalion, SX7528, Teddy Boxer from the West Coast, who had his lower right leg blown off. He was particularly scathing of the German dive bombers deliberately attacking the clearly marked, hospital which bore a very visible red cross on the roof. (That bomb demolished one ward and half of another.) In a spirited response Teddy declared "They'll never shift us out of Tobruk."
Ben and fellow soldiers were pictured in the article.
In September, Ben again appeared in a photo published in the News with other wounded returned soldiers. Stories of night patrols in the harsh desert were shared. The Indian troops were praised for their mastery in this activity. One soldier shared that “They have also given our boys a few thrills by creeping upon them at night. As soon as our boys hear a hiss behind them they hiss back pronto, to save their heads. That is the signal between the troops at listening posts and isolated points and scouting Indians."
For the Tobruk diggers putting their lives on the line the newspaper reported that Lce.-Cpl. H. B. Chester, of Norwood, said that the diggers at Tobruk were incensed by reports of strikes and Parliamentary dissension in Australia. They felt that if they were prepared to risk their lives to fight overseas, the men at home should at least see that there was no interruption to the production of urgently needed supplies. "Life is pretty hard at Tobruk, but the chaps are standing up to it marvellously," he said. "The Axis bombs them regularly but does little damage. There's not much left on the surface to be damaged. Apparently, the Italians and Germans are trying to smash the garrison's morale, but they are not in the race. They just can't worry those boys." "The diggers love the night fighting patrols," continued Lce.-Cpl. Chester. "They have the enemy licked at this game. They used to go out with three pairs of socks on, but now they have rubber shoes."
The injured returned soldiers were driven to the Red Cross reception depot by members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment and were given breakfast before being medically examined.
Ben spent time in the highly regarded Repatriation Hospital on extended sick leave with the unwelcome diagnosis of arthritis. He was formally discharged on the 14th November ’41 from Wayville (and was permitted to keep his greatcoat).
Post war, Ben became involved in the North Adelaide sub-branch of the R.S.L. With the death of the highly regarded ‘Diver’ Derrick, V.C. and D.C.M. Australians lauded this exceptional soldier and leader. On Friday 1st June, a returned soldiers' memorial service was held in the Druids' Hall, North Adelaide. Over 100 members of the North Adelaide sub-branch and representatives of other sub-branch, attended. This was coordinated by Ben, an old comrade who fought with Derrick at Tobruk. "The Last Post" and "Reveille" were sounded during the service, which concluded with the hymn "Lead, Kindly Light."
Debate followed about how best to create a memorial for Derrick, who had resided at North Adelaide. Suggestions including a Memorial Hall, the renaming of a main thoroughfare street, and erection of a plaque were made by members of the Adelaide City Council for a memorial to the late Lieutenant T. C. Derrick, V.C., D.C.M. Other suggestions included supporting his widow. Ben was involved in the discussions, emphasizing that Derrick’s leadership was inspiring and that it was a privilege to be under his command during that siege. "'
Aged 56, Henry died on the 28th May 1965 and was buried in the Centennial Park Cemetery Gen E Path 16 Plot 197A.
After Ben’s death, his wife Margaret attempted to find out more about his service in 1992 and the medals to which he was entitled. At that stage, the Polish Government chose to issue a medal to the Rats of Tobruk with whom the Independent Carpathian Brigade had served. Margaret lived to be 75 and died on the 31st January 1998 and now rests with Ben.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.