Early Life and War Service
Chalmers was born at Wellington, New Zealand, on 11 March 1894 to Scotsman John Chalmers, and his English wife Louise (née Seager). In 1906, Chalmers and his family moved to Sydney, Australia, before re-locating to Queensland two years later. During this time, Chalmers gained employment as an engine driver.
On 5 October 1915, Chalmers enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force for service during the First World War. Allotted to the 7th Reinforcements of the 25th Battalion as a private, he embarked from Brisbane aboard HMAT Itonus on 30 December. Arriving in Egypt, Chalmers was re-allocated to the newly formed 47th Battalion on 9 March 1916, following an expansion of the Australian forces. Following a period of training, Chalmers was shipped from Alexandria along with the rest of his battalion in June, bound for the Western Front.
Disembarking at Marseilles on 9 June 1916, the 47th Battalion moved into the trenches the following month, where it took part in its first major action of the war at Pozières. For the remainder of the year, Chalmers served alternating stints in the trenches and training behind the frontlines with his battalion. Having contracted trench foot, Chalmers was evacuated to England for treatment in February 1917. During this time, Chalmers married Jessie Alice Courtenay at the register office, Dorset, on 30 July 1917; the pair were later to have a son and a daughter. Having sufficiently recovered, he rejoined the 47th Battalion in France during September.
Serving at Messines and Passchendaele, Chalmers was transferred to the 45th Battalion on 25 April 1918. Following action at Amiens, he was granted three weeks leave to the United Kingdom in September. Following the Armistice, Chalmers returned to Australia on 3 July 1919 and was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 18 October.
Re-settling in Sydney with his wife, Chalmers joined the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club. In 1921, he won belt races at several beaches around Sydney, and won the Australian Lifesaving Belt Championship the following year.
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