William Clift CHAMBERS

Regimental number8390
Date of birth9 September 1893
Place of birthKadina, South Australia
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationMiner
AddressFoster Street, Kadina, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation22
Next of kinMother, Mrs Ellen Louisa Chambers, Foster Street, Kadina, South Australia
Enlistment date6 September 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll23 August 1915
Rank on enlistmentDriver
Unit nameField Artillery Brigade 6, Battery 18
AWM Embarkation Roll number13/34/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A34 Persic on 22 November 1915
Rank from Nominal RollCorporal
Unit from Nominal Roll6th Field Artillery Brigade
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 2 June 1917

Bar to Military Medal


Recommendation date: 15 September 1917

FateReturned to Australia 20 November 1918
Medals

Military Medal

'At PLOEGSTEERT on 1st June, 1917, these N.C.O.s and man [CHAMBERS, 8380 E.W. MATTNER and 8423 W.F.J. SAGE], under the orders of Major E.T. DEAN, whilst the 18th Battery was being heavily shelled, displayed the greatest bravery and devotion to duty in extinguishing on three separate occasions fires which had broken out from the hostile shelling in treee gun pits of the battery and in several ammunition dumps. Whilst the gun pits were on fire, and the ammunition in them, and several dumps surrounding the battery were exploding, they brought buckets of water to the Battery Commander who was standing on top of the pit being dealt with, and worked in the pits with him putting out the fire. They subsequently put out the burning dumps, on more than one occasion boxes exploding whilst they were handling the dump. On the pits again catching fire under the heavy shelling they returned in the race of it and successfully renewed their efforts. Their disregard for personal safety, fine devotion and determination undoubtedly saved the guns and a large quantity of ammunition, 1,500 rounds only being destroyed out of some 5,000 stored at these pits.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219
Date: 20 December 1917

Bar to Military Medal

'On the 14th September, 1917, at ZILLEBEKE, the 16th Battery position was heavily shelled from 3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. with 5.9" and 8". At 3,.35 p.m. an ammunition dump alongside No. 1 gun was hit and it and the gun pit caught fire. These men on Lieutenant DODD calling for a party rushed out of the shelter trench in the face of the heavy fire and with water from adjacent shell holes succeeded in putting it out. Later the pit was again hit and it and the ammunition and an adjacent pit caught fire. These men [CHAMBERS and 8379 J.K. MURRAY] again went out with Lieutenant DODD in the face of the shelling and succeeded in saving the guns and ammunition. They displayed great gallantry and determination in the face of very considerable danger. Sergeant MURRAY was awarded the Military Medal in September, 1916. Bombardier CHAMBERS was awarded the Military Medal in A.I.F. Order 796, June 29th, 1917.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 7 March 1918

Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Medals: Military Medal & Bar, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal