The AIF Project

Harry George CHESLYN

Regimental number68
Place of birthLondon, England
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationLineman
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation24
Next of kinW G L Cheslyn, 32 Stoneham Road, Clapham, London, England
Enlistment date29 August 1914
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name1st Battalion, Headquarters
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/18/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board Transport A19 Afric on 18 October 1914
Rank from Nominal RollCorporal
Unit from Nominal Roll1st Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


For cinspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the night of 16-17 april 1918.
Recommendation date: 14 May 1918

FateReturned to Australia 24 September 1918
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Richard and Beatrice CHESLYN. Plaque in New South Wales Garden of Remembrance.
Medals

Military Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the night of 16th/17th April, 1918, South West of METEREN, when it was most important owing to the obscurity of the situation that touch should be established with the French who were operating on our left. Corporal CHESLYN who is Signalling Corporal on his own initiative set out in the dark in country unknown to him and succeeded in establishing touch, and gained very valuable information. Next morning, on the 17th April, 1918, during a heavy bombardment and attack by the enemy he went over open country to establish telephone communication with the left Company. He came under aimed rifle fire but he continued to push the wire before him along a small ditch till near Company Headquarters. Before reaching there he ran out of wire, he returned to Battalion Headquarters much exhausted but set out again over the same country. Though slightly wounded by a bullet he succeeded in reaching Company Headquarters and establishing telephone communication. Later in the day he again passed over the same country to mend the line when it was broken by shell fire. He displayed not only great determination but courage and endurance and showed fine devotion to duty.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919

Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death28 August 1940
Age at death50
Place of burialBotany Cemetery, New South Wales

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