Raymond Osmond Chesher

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 15/08/2017 - 11:26

First Name:

Raymond

Middle Name:

Osmond

Last Name:

Chesher

Mother's Name:

Christiana Chesher nee Vane

Father's Name:

John Chesher

Date Enlisted:

Wednesday, August 25, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Sergeant

Unit:

54th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Thursday, January 10, 1952

Place of Death:

Wollongong, N.S.W.

Details:

Raymond Chesher (Service No 4156) was born in Bathurst, N.S.W. around 1878. On 10th January 1900 he married Annie Kable and they were raising a family when Raymond enlisted.

At enlistment Raymond was 36 years old, worked as a labourer and lived at Port Kembla, N.S.W. He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A6 Aeneas with 2nd Battalion, 13th Reinforcement on 20th December 1915. After arriving in Egypt he was transferred to 54th Battalion on 16th February 1916 and promoted to Corporal on 1st May 1916.

Raymond arrived in France on 20th June 1916 and after the battle for Fromelle was promoted to Sergeant on 2nd August 1916.

Raymond saw service on the Western Front. During this time he was admitted to hospital a number of times due to cronic rheumatism.

He was repatriated to Australia in April 1918 and discharged medically unfit on 6th August 1918.

Raymond and Annie ran a boarding house and he worked for Electrolytic Refining & Smelting Company, Port Kembla, as a fireman until he retired.

Raymond died at home in Port Kembla on his 52nd wedding anniversary.

His service is commemorated on the Port Kembla War Memorial.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, CHESHER R O