Regimental number | 68 |
Place of birth | London, England |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Occupation | Lineman |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 24 |
Next of kin | W G L Cheslyn, 32 Stoneham Road, Clapham, London, England |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 1st Battalion, Headquarters |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/18/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board Transport A19 Afric on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Corporal |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 1st Battalion |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal For cinspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the night of 16-17 april 1918. Recommendation date: |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
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: |
Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Date of death | |
Age at death | 50 |
Place of burial | Botany Cemetery, New South Wales |