Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

 He and his brother Harold after service in the Indian Army, migrated to Australia in 1909 and the the R.A.A. at Fremantle as gunners.  They were sent to the Albury traingin school the following year and emerged with four stripes and a crown each.  Harry served with the 43rd Battalion abroad, gained the rank of Captain and was badly wounded in the head, which no doubt, contributed to his untimely end.

Henry Chumleigh, or Harry Chumleigh, as he was better known as, was born in Frimley, Surrey, England during March 1884. He was a short man, with short, straight, combed-back brown hair, blue eyes, a strong jaw line and straight posture. He and his brother Harold, who also serviced in the army, migrated from England to Australia at the age of twenty-five in 1909 to join the R.A.A. (Royal Australian Artillery) in Fremantle, Perth and where they were also sent to the Albury training school the following year and emerged with four stripes and a crown each.

Henry, before migrating and going to war, married a woman by the name of Rachel (Ray) Chumleigh and had 2 children, named Thelma and Nancy. Henry Chumleigh was enlisted in the army on the 1st of May 1916. His occupation in the war was a soldier and his last ranking was a lieutenant.

Henry began his journey when he embarked from Outer Harbour on the Private Horace Alfred Ault with the 43rd Battalion on the 9th June 1916. He then travelled for 1 month and 11 days before disembarking in Marseilles, France. Once he arrived in Marseilles, he and the 43rd Battalion went on to South Hampton, England. After 4 months and 5 days he and the 43rd docked in South Hampton and fought on the 25th of November 1916. That was where his journey was affected by a severe shrapnel injury to his south west side and legs, causing him to retreat and arrive at the 3rd London General Hospital 14th of July 1917. After he regained his health and his injuries were treated, he began training again before he re-joined the 43rd Battalion on the 25th of March 1918.

Unfortunately, he didn’t go far before his bravery and courage resulted in him gaining another injury, this one more serious, a severe fracture to the south west side of his skull. This injury was too serious for him to return to the war.

After obtaining a serious fracture to his skull, he returned home to Melbourne and then on to Adelaide on the 27th of December 1918 where he spent his un-recorded remaining years.

He then sadly passed away at the age of 46 on the 23rd of August 1930 and was buried in Adelaide with other Australian soldiers at West Terrace Cemetery on the 25th of August 1930.

Henry Chumleigh’s service to the army reflected the Anzac Spirit, as he showed loyalty, bravery, persistence, consistence and respect for his country. Australia wouldn’t be country it is today if there weren’t people like Henry willing to support their country.

Bibliography

• RSL Virtual War Memorial 2018, accessed 26 March 2018, <https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/>.
• National Archives of Australia 2017, accessed 26 March 2016, <http://www.naa.gov.au/>.

AKA Henry Alfred David RANSOM

From How We Served

Captain Harry Chumleigh of Norwood, South Australia had been serving with the Permanent Army when he enlisted for War Service on the 25th of March 1916 and was allocated to the 43rd Battalion 1st AIF with the rank of Lieutenant.

Harry was embarked for England and further training on the 9th of June, and by the 25th of November he was sent across to France to join his Unit in the trenches. Following his arrival Harry was temporarily seconded to the Staff of the 11th Infantry Brigade on the 18th of December, but was returned to his Battalion by the 14th of February 1917. On the 27th of March Harry was transferred to the 41st Battalion as acting Adjutant, and was promoted to Captain.

From this time on Harry’s service in the field would be continuous until he was wounded in action on the 6th of July, receiving multiple shrapnel wounds to his legs and his left side. Evacuated for medical treatment, Harry arrived back in England for hospitalisation on the 14th of July, and following a period of convalesces he was deemed fit enough to be returned to his Battalion on the 21st of June 1918.

Within two months of his return Harry was again wounded in action when he received serous shrapnel wounds to his head, which caused him a compound fracture to his skull. Harry received immediate medical treatment to stabilise his injuries so as he could be sent back to England for more comprehensive hospitalisation. Following his arrival in England on the 25th of August, the wounds Harry had received were so serious that he was sent back to Australia as an invalid, departing from England on the 19th of October.

Harry’s appointment as an officer with the 1st AIF was terminated on the 14th of August 1919 and he was re-entered into civilian life. Captain Chumleigh’s premature death occurred on the 23rd of August 1930 at the age of 46, and following his passing he was laid to rest within West Terrace Cemetery, South Australia.