Chambers, George William

6957 Private George William Chambers - 11th Battalion AIF

George William Chambers was born in Sheffield England in 1872 to George and Kate Chambers. He was educated locally in Sheffield and aftre leaving school he joined the British Army, serving for twelve years in the British Army with the Gordon Highlanders. He saw service in the Boer War during this time.

After his time in the British Army had expired, George travelled to Australia, taking up residence in Fremantle where he found employment as a horse driver. In 1913 he was living at 23 Howard Street Fremantle and was working as a butcher.

In 1914 he married Elizabeth Mary Chambers and they took up residence at 227 South Terrace Fremantle.

On the 7th August 1916 George enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force in Fremantle. He was accepted as fit for service with the medical examiner recording George's physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 4 & 3/4 inches tall;

Weight - 141lbs;

Chest Measurement - 34-36 inches;

Complexion - Ruddy;

Eyes - Brown;

Hair - Brown.

Upon his successful enlistment George was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp and spent some time in the Training depots as well as the NCO School. He was appointed a Temporary Corporal and on the 19th October 1916 was assigned to the 18th Reinforcements to the 28th Battalion. He spent a month with this group but was then transferred to the 23rd Reinforcements to the 11th Battalion AIF.

George trained with this group in WA for the next month but they then received their departure orders. On the 23rd December 1916 George and his group entrained for Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship HMAT Berrima. The ship then set sail for England, arriving at Devonport Harbour on the 16th February 1917.

On arrival in England George and his group were disembarked and sent to the 3rd Training Battalion at Durrington. He also then reverted to the rank of Private.

George spent the next few months in England, then was sent to France on the 14th May 1917. He spent the next two weeks at the 1st Australian Division Base Depot and then joined the 11th Battalion on the 28th May  1917. 

George arrived just as the 11th Battalion were sent on a three month rest period out of the front line. Much of this time was taken up by training and sporting activities.

In September 1917 the 11th Battalion moved back up to the line in Belgium as they were about to take part in the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 20th September 1917 the 11th Battalion saw action at the Battle of Menin Road and then subsequent actions at Zonnebeke and Broodseinde Ridge.

On October 6th 1917 George was wounded during a battalion raid on Celtic Wood. Fortunately the wound was slight but he was hospitalised for a month with eye issues. George rejoined his unit in Belgium on the 11th November 1917.

From December 1917 to March 1918 the 11th Battalion were holding the front line in Belgium south east of Ypres near Hollebeke. George was sent to the UK on leave in February 1918, returning in the first week of March 1918.

On the 12th April 1918 George was sent to hospital with knee issues and was diagnosed as suffering from arthritis. He was sent to the 9th General Hospital at Rouen and was there for over a week but was then transferred to England on the 20th April 1918.

George was then set to the 15th Canadian General Hospital at Taplow. He was there form the 21st April to 20th May 1918. He was then sent to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield. He spent a week here and was then given a two week furlough.

On the 10th June 1918 George was sent to No.2 Command Depot Camp at Weymouth. He had been medically assessed and found as no longer fit for front line service so he would be sent home.

He spent nearly two more months in England but on the 8th August 1918 boarded a transport ship and set sail for home, reaching Fremantle on the 28th September 1918. George was then discharged from the AIF on the 23rd October 1918.

On his return home he was employed as a storeman and he lived with his wife at "Amelia" at 38 Moss St East Fremantle. They were there for a few years then moved to 63 Dalgety Street East Fremantle.

George became heavily involved with the East Fremantle Bowling Club and was a life member

In 1952 his wife Elizabeth died and the following year George William Chambers died on the 7th June 1953 aged 81. He was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery.