Greetings From Subiaco : Corporal Harry Chandler From Subiaco...Part Two (1915),

Corporal Harry Chandler From Subiaco...Part Two.

This post is a continuation of the story about Harry Chandler from a previous post titled "The Story Of A Youthful Hero And A Gallant Mother...Subiaco Boating Tragedy (1906)."

Harry Chandler and a group of people including his mother and brother and sisters were in a boating tragedy on the Swan River where five young people from Subiaco tragically lost their lives in 1906. Harry was hailed a hero as he tried to save his mother Helen (Ellen) and two sisters, Rose (aged 15) and May (aged 9) from drowning. Rose tragically died. Harry went on to enlist in World War One in 1915 and went to Gallipoli and the Western Front.

Harry Chandler's war records from the Australian National Archives state he was born on the 15 January 1888 in Prahran in Melbourne, Victoria to James and Helen Chandler. Harry was of fair complexion, had blue eyes and light brown hair. The family were Baptists. When Harry enlisted his occupation was listed as a plasterer.

The City of Subiaco Local Government Inventory Place Record (2014) shows that by 1906 James and Ellen Chandler had moved to Subiaco and were the first occupants of 72 Heytesbury Road with their children Rose, Eric, Harry and May. The Inventory Place Record states "...the funeral of their 15 year old daughter, Rose, was announced, following her tragic death in a sailing accident on the Swan River. Newspaper articles relating to the accident indicate that Ellen, Harry and May had also been on the yacht but had been saved..."

By 1915, the family had moved to View Road in Subiaco. Harry Chandler's war records from the Australian National Archives show Harry enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces in 1915, aged 27 and 3 months with the rank of Private. He went to training at Blackboy Hill and there the 28th Battalion was formed. The Battalion departed for World War 1 and Gallipoli on the HMAT Geelong from Fremantle. In 1918 Harry achieved the rank of Corporal while working as a qualified signaller.

The Australian War Memorial official webpage provides an overview of the 28th Battalion participation in World War 1 "...The 28th Battalion was raised at Blackboy Camp in Western Australia on 16 April 1915 from recruits previously earmarked for the 24th Battalion, which was instead being raised in Victoria. The battalion left Australia in June, and, after two months spent training in Egypt, landed at Gallipoli on 10 September.

At Gallipoli, the 7th Brigade, which included the 28th Battalion, reinforced the weary New Zealand and Australian Division. The 28th had a relatively quiet time at Gallipoli and the battalion departed the peninsula in December, having suffered only light casualties. After another stint in Egypt, the 7th Brigade proceeded to France and the Western Front, as part of the 2nd Australian Division..." The role of 28th Battalion is copied below from the Australian War Memorial online site. The description outlines the events the battalion participated in, battle honours, commanding officers and honours it received.

Corporal Harry Chandler died from his wounds he received in action at Ploegsteer, Belgium on the 12 March, 1918. He later died that day. He is buried in the London Rifle Brigade Cemetery Plot IV, Row B, Grave 1. Harry's war records state he was awarded the 1914-15 Star Medal, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

The articles and photographs are from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.

The photographs of Harry Chandler are from the Virtual Australian War Memorial website. No copyright infringement intended.

The description of 28th Battalion is from the official Australian War Memorial site. No copyright infringement intended.

"....Description

The 28th Battalion was raised at Blackboy Camp in Western Australia on 16 April 1915 from recruits previously earmarked for the 24th Battalion, which was instead being raised in Victoria. The battalion left Australia in June, and, after two months spent training in Egypt, landed at Gallipoli on 10 September.

After another stint in Egypt, the 7th Brigade proceeded to France and the Western Front, as part of the 2nd Australian Division. The 28th Battalion took part in its first major battle at Pozieres between 28 July and 6 August 1916. After a spell in a quieter sector of the front in Belgium, the 2nd Division returned to the south in October, where the 28th Battalion took part in confused and costly fighting to the east of Flers, in the Somme Valley.

For many of the major battles of 1917 the 28th found itself in supporting roles. At the second battle of Bullecourt, the 28th provided reinforcements who were nonetheless involved in heavy fighting. The 28th went on to attack as part of the third phase at the battle of Menin Road, capturing its objectives in seven minutes, and was in reserve during the capture of Broodseinde Ridge. The battalion was also in reserve for the battle of Poelcappelle on 9 October, but, with the attack floundering in the mud, it soon became embroiled in the fighting.

In April 1918, the 28th fought to turn back the German spring offensive and, from 8 August participated in the joint British and French offensive that marked the beginning of Germany's defeat. The Battalion was prominent in the fighting to secure crossing points over the Somme River around Peronne, and in the advance beyond Mont St Quentin. The 28th's last actions of the war were fought as part of the effort to break through the Beaurevoir Line in the first week of October 1918. The first members of the battalion began returning to Australia in January, and the 28th was disbanded in March 1919..."

Harry Chandler on the Virtual Australian War Memorial website.