Alexander Chalmers

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sun, 28/05/2017 - 13:14

First Name:

Alexander

Last Name:

Chalmers

Date of Birth:

Monday, November 17, 1890

Mother's Name:

Eliza Jane Chalmers nee Drummond

Father's Name:

John Chalmers

Date Enlisted:

Monday, April 26, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Sapper

Rank at Discharge:

Captain

Unit:

Pioneer Battalion

Company:

1st

Awards:

Military Cross

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Sunday, September 30, 1934

Place of Death:

Chatswood

Details:

Alexander Chalmers (Service No. 1340) was born in Woonona, NSW. At enlistment he was a single 24 year old engineering draughtsman.

He embarked on SS Makarini from Melbourne, VIC with 8th reinforcements 1st Field Company Engineers on 15th September 1915.

He served at Gallipoli from 25th October, 1915 as a private and returned to Egypt after the evacuation.

In Egypt he was transferred to the Pioneers on 10th March 1916 and promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 12th March. He arrived in France on 2nd April 1916 and was promoted to Lieutenant on 1st July 1916 and then to Captain on 5th August 1916.

He saw service on the Western Front and at the Pioneer Training Battalion in England until he was repatriated to Australia in August 1918 unfit for active service. He was discharged medically unfit on 23rd December 1918 with bronchitis and pneumonia.

On 23rd April 1919 Chalmers married Olive Hews and had 2 children. He died in 1934 at Chatswood and is buried in Northern Suburbs Cemetery, Sydney.

Captain Alexander Chalmers was awarded the Military Cross in 1917. The recommendation reads, "From 26th February 1917 to date this Officer has shown great devotion to duty, directing engineering skillfully in all works allotted to him both as a Platoon Leader and Company Commander, under arduous and dangerous conditions. In the operation of the Battalion during this time which includes the advance towards Bapaume in February 1917 and also Bullecourt in April and May 1917, this officer set a splendid example of courage and initiative." Commonwealth Gazette No 57 dated 18th April 1918.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, CHALMERS A; Alexander