Ernest Henry Chisholm
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 7 Nov 1889 |
| Place of Birth | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Death | 15 Apr 1966 |
| Place of Death | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 25 years, 3 months |
| Description |
5'4½" (1.64m) tall ; 140 lbs 63.503 kg ; fresh complexion ; brown eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Sawyer |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Address | No 1 Mill, Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs Charlotte Chisholm |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 4997 |
| Date of Enlistment | 20 Mar 1916 |
| Rank | Lance Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 13th Reinforcement, allocated to C Company / 7th Brigade, 2nd Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 18 Jul 1916 ‒ 9 Sep 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A48 Seang Bee |
| Date of Return | 17 Jun 1918 ‒ 8 Aug 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | HMT Matatua |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 3 May 1917 2nd Bullecourt Wounded in Action 20 Sep 1917 Menin Road Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre WW 1
Electoral Roll entries - 1912 - 1916 at No 6 Mill, Jarrahdale, a mill hand.
WW 1 Service
Within a fortnight of entering Blackboy Hill camp, Ernest was allocated to the 13th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion. He travelled with them to England, and on arrival was posted to the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone. On 2 Nov 1916 Ernest proceeded overseas aboard HMT Victoria or SS Princess Henriette from Folkestone in England. Both ships are recorded in his individual records as carrying him to France, on the same day. Five days later was taken on strength of the 28th Battalion who at that time were coming out of the line near Montaubane, France.
In December he spent from 14 - 21 December in the care of the 6th Field Ambulance, but otherwise remained out of trouble until 3 May 1917 when he was Wounded in Action. The actions involving the battalion during the day were primarily a series of bombing fights with the Germans, so the wound received may have been fragmentation from a hand grenade rather than from a shell. Treated by the 5th Field Ambulance, and 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station he was put aboard a Ambulance Train for the 14th General Hospital in Boulogne. On 6 May 1917 he was transferred to No.1 Convalescent Depot and on 21 Jul 1917 sent to a rest camp. The wound was not severe enough to cause evacuation to England. Ernest was back with his battalion on 25 Jun 1917.
Appointed Lance Corporal on 3 Aug 1917, Ernest was wounded again on 20 Sep 1917. On this occasion, the 28th Battalion suffered fairly heavy casualties in the Battle called Menin Road, with 66 killed, 190 wounded and 36 unaccounted for. Ernest suffered a shell wound to his left arm and head leading to him being sent home. Treated initially by the 6th Field Ambulance and the 10th Casualty Clearing Station on 20 Sep 1917, he was then treated by the St Johns Ambulance in Étaples for a week before being placed aboard the HS Stad Antwerpen for England on 28 Sep 1917. On arrival he was admitted to the Saffron Walden VAD Hospital in Colchester, Essex. He remained there until he was transferred to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Harefield on 23 Feb 1918. Granted furlough from 9 Mar to 23 Mar 1918, he was then set to No.2 Command Depot Weymouth and sent home as unfit to participate any further. Discharged by the 5th Military District on 15 Nov 1918.
Between the Wars
In 1920 Ernest married Lena Orton at Jarrahdale. Electoral Roll entries - 1922 - 1931 with Lena at Jarrahdale, mill hand; 1936 - 1943 Lena gives address as Armadale, while Ernest is c/- Curtis & Co., Bedfordale.
WW 2 Service
During WW2 Ernest enlisted at Armadale in the Volunteer Defence Corps as a Private on 20 Aug 1942 with Reg No. W85041. He was allocatted to the 12th (Jarrah) VDC Battalion, with Lena living in William street Armadale. On 31 Jul 1944 Ernest was transferred to the reserve.
Post ww2
Electoral Roll entries: In 1949 Ernest's address changes to William street, Armadale. From letter in his file we know that in Oct 1944 & in 1960 he was living in William street, Armadale.
Notes