Jack Chalmers - Albert Medal

Albert Medal

On 4 February 1922, Chalmers was on duty at Coogee Beach when Milton Coughlan, a body surfer, was attacked by a shark. Tying a line around his waist, Chalmers scrambled across the rocks where he slipped becoming dazed. Despite this, he dived into the water and swam out to Coughlan. Chalmers grabbed hold of him, and the pair were assisted ashore by Frank Beaurepaire. Coughlan was rushed to hospital with extensive injuries to his arms, where he died soon after admission.

Chalmers actions during the incident were widely publicised in the media, with the The Sydney Mail describing the rescue as "one of the most glorious deeds of gallantry ever recorded in Australia". Both Chalmers and Beaurepaire were awarded medals from the Royal Shipwreck Relief & Humane Society of New South Wales and the Surf Life Saving Association of New South Wales. On 7 July 1922, the announcement and accompanying citation for Chalmers to be awarded the Albert Medal was published in the London Gazette, reading:

Board of Trade, Great George Street, London, S.W. 1.

His Majesty The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal upon Jack Chalmers, of Sydney, New South Wales.

The following, is an account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred: —

On the 4th February, 1922, Milton Coughlan was swimming just outside the breakers at Coogee Beach, Sydney, N.S. Wales, when he was attacked by a shark, which bit deeply into his left forearm. Freeing himself, he fought and drove away the shark, which, however, returned and succeeded in establishing a hold on his right arm, but the grip was again broken.

Observing what had happened, Jack Chalmers had a line tied round his waist, and immediately dashed across the rocks to the rescue, and although he slipped and fell, and was momentarily stunned through his head coming into contact with a rock, he quickly recovered, plunged into the water and swam out to Coughlan, who was floating helplessly in the water; Chalmers caught hold of him round the body, and held him until they were both hauled in to the rocks.

The injured bather's arms were practically bitten through and the flesh torn from them, and the unfortunate man succumbed to his injuries shortly after reaching hospital.

Jack Chalmers undoubtedly fully realised the risk he was incurring, and showed extraordinary gallantry in going to Coughlan's rescue in the circumstances. That the danger was considerable is clear from the fact that a number of sharks were seen swimming around the spot where the rescue occurred immediately after the bather was lifted ashore.

Chalmers and Beaurepaire were both granted life memberships with the Coogee and North Bondi Life Saving clubs for their efforts during the rescue. Following fund raising by the public, Chalmers was gifted £3000, which he used to repay the mortgage on his home and place a deposit on a truck.