Essendon Gazette , 20 May 1915 

373 Pte Ernest Malcolm Chambers, taken at

Zeitoun, Egypt, 1915.

1.  April 1915

"The following is a short letter from Private E Chambers to his father at Ascot Vale:-

Railway Station, Cairo

4/4/15

Dear Dad,

I have written this note while waiting for the train, and given it to a native, so it is only a matter of his honesty in your getting this note.  Well, as we are bound for the real thing now (Dardanelles, I think), I have taken the opportunity of dropping a line to let you know that everything is going right so far;  but in a few weeks' time it will be a different life.  All I want to say is to tell all at home not to worry at all.  In the case of the AIF suffering reverses, as it is almost impossible to go right through without some defeat, do not come to any conclusions, and believe no rumours; only take note of Government information.  But, at anyrate, if I am not amongst the troops to return, then you will know.  I intend to take every care of myself, and at the same time try my best.  If luck is not in my way, you will know that I did my best to help in clearing the world of a cowardly lot of curs.  Well, I will now close, with the best love to all. also hope to see you all before long.-

Your affectionate son.

(373) Ern

Remember me to all friends.

(Courtesy of M Kenny)

Private E. M. Chambers (wounded) was a member of the Senior Cadets, and graduated into the militia, He volunteered on the first day recruits were called for, and was attached to the 5th Battalion (E Company). While in Egypt he passed the sharpshooting test. He is 22 years of age, and was educated at the Ascot Vale State school. His parents reside in the Parade. Ascot Vale.

For King and Country. (1915, May 20). Flemington Spectator (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 3. Retrieved May 30, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88513465

Essendon Gazette, 10 June 1915

THE CASUALTY LIST

Private E. M. Chambers, who was wounded early in the fighting at the
Dardanelles, recovered and resumed fighting, and was killed in action on
22nd May. He was the third son of Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Chambers, of The
Parade, Ascot Vale. Private Chambers has had six years' military training,

and often expressed a desire to go on active service. When volunteers
were called, he enlisted on the first day.

Essendon Gazette 24 June 1915

Mr, and Mrs. F. Chambers, of The Parade, Ascot Vale, desire to inform their many friends that they have received word that their son, Private E. M. Chambers, who was reported killed in action at the Dardanelles on 22nd of May, is still in the hospital. Private Chambers was wounded on 25th April, and later reported killed in action on 22nd May; but a letter received from him, dated 7th May, in which he gave the nature of his wound (a bullet having entered his right chest and passed oat below the ribs), and stated that he would be in the hospital at least a few weeks, caused his relatives to doubt  whether it would be possible for him to return to action by 22nd May, and they set about making inquiries, with the result that they have now received word that he is still in the hospital.

The news that Ernie Chambers is wounded and not killed, as previously reported, was joyfully received by the two blues, [Ascot Vale Football Club] who wish their old member a speedy recovery.

ASCOT VALE v. WERRIBEE. (1915, June 24). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 5 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved September 5, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74589175

Letters of a Nation, Australia Post, 200 years - October 1915

"Zeitoun

Egypt

21-10-15

Dear Mrs Hartmann,

I am sending you a photo which was taken lately, do not know whether you will be able to recognize it or not. Today is the anniversary of day we sailed out of Port Melb. so I daresay you will find a difference when you compare this card with the one which was taken at Broady. At any rate its the same old boy still in the land of living and enough life to keep him on the move. Well Mrs Hartmann I have nothing fresh to tell you in fact its taking me all my time to drop this card, still a line now and again although of no importance helps us to keep in touch. Hoping you are all well.

Yours truly

373 Ern"

A note on the "Letters of a Nation" archive notes that Mrs Hartmann performed tasks such as cooking and cleaning for the soldiers camped at Broadmeadows. She apparently received a jardiniere with the inscription, 'In grateful appreciation of her many kindnesses to the Headquarters Company 3rd Divisional Train, May 1916', which would have been a couple of years later than Ern's stay at the Broadmeadows Camp.

Mr. M. F. Chambers, of 153 The Parade, Ascot Vale, has been officially notified that his son, Cpl. E. M. Chambers, 5th Battalion, has been missing since 14th June. Cpl. Chambers has had nearly four years' service, having enlisted the first day recruits were called for in August, 1914, and sailed in October, 1914. He has since been wounded three times, and incorrectly reported killed in action in May, 1915.

ANZAC AVIATOR FALLS INTO THE SEA. (1918, July 4). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2 Edition: Morning. Retrieved July 10, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74606503

Extracts from Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau Correspondence

Re 373 Cpl E M Chambers. He took out a patrol to try and locate an enemy post which was giving us some trouble, and he left our post, near Vieux Berquin Strazeele road with 3 men and himself, he was then under command of Lt Hamilton, 5th Battn.  This was about the night of the 12th June, but at present cannot say for certain.  They had to get through a barb wire fence and it was here that they met strong opposition, and Cpl Chambers gave the command to get back as quickly as possible, and they who were with him got back safely, one being slightly wounded, and they said that he got caught in the wire fence, and that was the last they saw of him. 

At dawn, the enemy attacked this post, and were repulsed with a number of casualties - Lt Hamilton being wounded, I went and took charge of the post and a few hours later I took out a fighting patrol of 4 men myself, with intention to recover Cpl Chambers' body, had he been killed.  It was now broad day-light, and we scoured the ground in front, and found a number of dead Germans, also 2 wounded ones, whom we took prisoners, These had all been hit in the attack a few hours previously at dawn. 

After returning with the 2 wounded and getting them away on stretchers to Coy Hqts, I decided to take 4 men and myself and creep on to enemy post and take them prisoners in hopes we would find that they still had Cpl Chambers in the post, as he was certainly not lying dead anywhere in the vicinity where he had last been seen.  I carried this small attack out with 4 volunteers, and we successfully took the post which was occupied by 12 Huns, whom we made prisoners, but unfortunately no trace of Cpl Chambers.  My only suggestion left is, that he was caught by the Huns whilst hooked up on the wire fence, and they immediately sent him to their interrogator in rear. 

He was tall, about 6', thin, with very long limbs, fair, grey eyes, about 23 years of age, clean shaven, had been severely wounded through the lungs in early days of the war.  He was an original man in the Battn, and left Australia in 1914.  He was rather untidy in his general appearance as a soldier.  Lt Hamilton 5th Battn could probably give you some more details.
Letter from Lt Neil S Maddox
5th Battn
BRC Hospital
BOULOUGNE 2.9.18

[Maddox explained that he had been wounded and had just had a leg removed when the Red Cross enquiry caught up with him about Chambers in Hospital.]
------

France
Oct 1st 1918
Secretary Red Cross
Miss Deakin

Many thanks for your valuable information in regards to Corporal Chambers of the 5th Battalion, which I received some time ago.  Could you give me any information of Tom Nicholson of the eight Battalion.  He was a married  man and left Australia in 1916.  He has been reported in Australia as having been killed on July 3rd so if you have any records of his death and where he is buried, I would be much obliged.  Thank you once again for all your valuable information
Yours Respectfully
 Sgt A E Narracott, 6th Battn
1st Division Gunners? Workshop
France

http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1061525--1-.PDF