Chambers, William Nelson

No.1735 – Private William Nelson Chambers –

6^th Battalion AIF

William Nelson Chambers was born in North Fremantle in 1885 to Robert and Catherine Chambers however the family later moved to Victoria where they resided at 59 Brighton Street in East Richmond. William was working as a fireman before he enlisted into the AIF. On the 8^th January 1915 William offered his services to the AIF and after being given a medical examination was found to be 5 feet 9 ½ inches; weight of 11 stone; chest measurement of 34-36 inches; ruddy complexion; grey eyes and black hair. His religious denomination was Church of England.

After being sent to the training depot, William was allotted to the 4^th Reinforcements to the 6^th Battalion AIF which trained at Broadmeadows Camp in Victoria. This group left Melbourne on the H.M.A.T. “Wiltshire” on the 13^th April 1915. After this group landed in Egypt, they were almost immediately sent on to reinforce the men at Gallipoli. The 6^th Battalion had taken heavy casualties since the landing and these men were needed to boost the number. William was taken on strength of B Company of the 6^th Battalion on the 27^th May 1915. Unfortunately he was killed less than a week later on the 2^nd June 1915 and is buried at Shrapnel Valley Cemetery in plot II.D.18

Epitaph on grave: Beloved, a Glorious Death is his who for his country falls