Chamberlain, Percy Clarence
30 Sergeant Percy Chamberlain – 28th Battalion AIF
Percival Clarence Chamberlain was born in Fremantle in 1891 to William and Ellen Chamberlain. He had seven other siblings and the family resided at a property called “Sunnyside” in Hamilton Road South Fremantle. Percy was educated locally and after leaving school he took up labouring work. For a time Percy then moved to North West WA where he worked as a Pearler. In early 1915 Percy travelled back home to Fremantle and on the 11th February he offered his services to the AIF at Swan Barracks in Perth. He was accepted for service with the AIF, with the medical officer recording Percy’s physical attributes as;
Height: 5 feet 6 & ¼ inches;
Weight: 152lbs;
Chest Measurement: 36-38 inches;
Complexion: Sallow;
Eyes: Brown;
Hair: Brown;
Religious denomination: Church of England;
Distinctive Marks: vertical linear scar on forehead
After his successful enlistment Percy was sent to Blackboy Hill camp where he was initially allotted to No.8 Depot Company. He remained here until the 15th March, when it was announced that WA would help form half of the 24th Battalion of the 6th Brigade. Percy was initially assigned to “C” Company of the 24th Battalion but this unit attachment was soon changed as it was found that there were enough men to fill a wholly WA Battalion. The 24th Battalion was then returned to Victoria to fill, while the new Western Australian unit would be known as the 28th Battalion of the 7th Brigade. Percy was allotted to “A” Company of the 28th Battalion and was given the regimental no.30.
The 28th Battalion trained in WA for the next few months while they waited for their embarkation orders to arrive. These eventually came through and on the 12th July 1915 Percy and his unit boarded the HMAT Ascanius and set sail for Egypt. The sea journey took three weeks and in early August 1915 the 28th Battalion set foot in Egypt. The next few weeks would be taken up with intensive training. Due to the casualties suffered at Gallipoli during the August campaign, the 2nd Australian Division was sent to the Dardanelles sooner than expected. The 28th Battalion left Alexandria on the 4th September 1915, arriving at Anzac several days later.
For the next few months the 28th Battalion would hold part of the front line in the northern sector that had been recently captured in the August battles. Though they did not take part in any major action at Gallipoli, the conditions on the battlefield soon struck the men and many would be evacuated sick. Percy had a bout on influenza which coincided with the colder weather arriving at Gallipoli and on the 11th November 1915 he was evacuated ill to the 13th Casualty Clearing Station. After a few days rest Percy had recovered enough to return to his unit. In mid December 1915 the 28th Battalion was withdrawn from Gallipoli and sent to Lemnos Island as the decision had been made to end the Dardanelles campaign.
On the 10th January 1916 the 28th Battalion returned to Egypt and for the next few months they would divide their time between training and garrisoning part of the Suez Canal defence line. The AIF were now preparing to be sent to France and the 2nd Australian Division was considered the fittest of the Australian divisions, so they were first to leave.
On the 16th March 1916 Percy boarded a troopship and sailed for France, disembarking at Marseilles on the 21st March 1916.
After exiting the troopship the men were marched through Marseilles to the railway station where they boarded trains which took them to northern France. From April till June 1916 the 28th Battalion were based in the Armentieres sector near Bois Greiner and Fleurbaix. On the 5th April Percy went absent without leave for the day, though he escaped without serious punishment, only being fined one day’s pay.
On the 29th May 1916 Percy was wounded when the Germans launched a large bombardment on the 28th’s trenches. 3 men were killed and 11 including Percy were wounded. He suffered shrapnel injuries to the face and leg. The stretcher bearers took him to the 7th Field Ambulance where he was initially patched up. He was then forwarded on to the 8th Casualty Clearing Station. More treatment was given to Percy and he was then put on an ambulance train and sent to No.23 General Hospital. His wounds were serious enough for him to be sent to England and on the 4th June 1916 he was put aboard the Hospital Ship Antwerpen. Upon arrival in the UK Percy was put on a train which took him to Bristol where he was admitted to No.2 Southern General Hospital.
For the next few months Percy remained in this hospital undergoing treatment for his wounds. The only upside was that he missed his unit’s Somme campaign where the 28th Battalion were absolutely devastated in two battles at Pozieres. In late August 1916 Percy was transferred to the Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield. By now he had largely recovered and on the 7th September 1916 he was transferred to No.2 Command Depot at Weymouth. Though he had been released from hospital it still took Percy a few months to be graded as fit enough to return to France and during most of this time Percy spent at the 7th Training Battalion.
On the 2nd November 1916 Percy boarded a transport ship and set sail from Folkestone harbour across to France. Upon disembarking at Etaples he was marched into the 2nd Australian Division Base Depot. He remained here for a few weeks, eventually rejoining the 28th Battalion on the 18th November 1916. It was a much changed battalion, personnel wise that Percy rejoined, having been through three major actions on the Somme since he left in May 1916.
The 28th Battalion would spend the 1916/17 French winter in the vicinity of Flers & Delville Wood on the Somme battlefield. On the 18th January 1917 Percy was promoted to Lance Corporal. In late February 1917 the Germans began their withdrawal to their pre-prepared defensive position known as the Hindenburg Line. They fought a defensive campaign over the next six weeks as they slowly withdrew, being pressed by the Australian and British troops all the way. Several sharp engagements were fought and Percy saw action at Lagnicourt on the 26th March 1917. On the 1st April Percy was promoted to Temporary Corporal.
The Germans were now behind the Hindenburg Line and unfortunately the first attack on the positions at Bullecourt by the 4th Division on 11th April was unsuccessful. A second attack was planned and in early May the 5th & 6th Brigades of the 2nd Division assaulted the German line. The 7th Brigade, including the 28th Battalion was brought in to reinforce and a ferocious battle ensued for possession of the trenches. Percy survived the action unscathed but shortly after the 28th Battalion was withdrawn from action, he reported ill. He was sent to the dressing station and had to revert to the rank of Lance Corporal. On the 20th May he returned to the 28th Battalion who were about to begin a three month rest period out of the front line. On the 4th June Percy was again promoted to Temporary Corporal and for the next few months the Battalion embarked on training and sporting activities.
On the 2nd August 1917 Percy was made full Corporal and he was sent for a period of duty to the 7th Training Battalion in England. On the 5th August he reported at Tidworth Barracks and he was put on the permanent cadre of the training staff. On the 16th August he was attached to the rifle musketry course, during which time he also qualified as a 1st class instructor. For the next six months Percy split his time in England between the 6th & 7th Training Battalions. His timing was again fortunate as in September/October 1917 the 28th Battalion was involved in the costly advances in the Third Battle of Ypres.
On the 1st March 1918 Percy boarded a transport ship at Southampton and headed back to France. After disembarking at Le Havre he spent a few days at the Australian Infantry Base Depot but on the 6th March 1918 he officially rejoined the 28th Battalion. His unit were then located near Messines but this was to soon change. On the 21st March 1918 the Germans launched their Spring Offensive which broke through the Third & Fifth British Armies. The Germans were making a speedy advance towards the vital city of Amiens. Initially the 3rd & 4th Australian Divisions were sent to stop them and in early April 1918 they were reinforced by the 2nd & 5th Australian Divisions.
The 28th Battalion would spend much time near the Morlancourt front, firstly on the defensive, but by June they were aggressively patrolling against the Germans. In July the Battalion captured Monument Wood near Villers-Bretonneux and Percy was promoted Sergeant, after the death of Sergeant Cramb.
For the last few months a large advance had been planned and on the 8th August 1918, Percy and the 28th Battalion took part in the advance from Amiens which totally broke the German line. The 28th Battalion took all their objectives and for the next nine days Percy took part in all the action. On the 17th August he was sent to the Corps Infantry School for a month long course, eventually returning to the Battalion on the 23rd September 1918. The line had meanwhile advanced quite a way; and in early October, Percy and the 28th Battalion were involved in operations against the Hindenburg Line. The 2nd Australian Division was the last Australian infantry unit then in the line, the others having been withdrawn for a rest. They successfully captured their objectives and then they too were withdrawn for a rest period.
The 28th Battalion were still enjoying a well earned rest when the Armistice was announced on the 11th November 1918. Percy would remain with the 28th Battalion until the 13th February 1919. He then embarked for England to await a berth on a transport ship for Australia. However on the 19th March he was sent to hospital at Codford with cellulitis to the left leg. Percy remained in the 1st Australian General Hospital until the 27th March. He was then returned to camp and would shortly get a berth on a transport ship. On the 13th April 1919 Percy boarded the ship Castalia and set sail for home, disembarking in Fremantle on the 24th May 1919. He was then discharged from the AIF and resumed his civilian life. In 1921 Percy married May Giddens in Fremantle.
Percy Chamberlain died on the 14th February 1961 and was buried in Karrakatta Cemetery in plot Anglican ZT 0337.