Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ralph initially enlisted on 14 September 14, 1914. However, after having served with the 9th Light Horse for 4 months, he was discharged as medically unfit. His wife was Lena Chamberlain and he gave his occupation as being a horseman. His service record does not provide any details of his brief period in the A.I.F. When he re-enlisted in Lithgow, New South Wales on 15 February, he named his wife as being Elizabeth Ruby Barrett and his occupation as an Operator, S.A. Factory.
He served at the Show Ground camp, Sydney from enlistment until his unit, the 55th Battalion, embarked HMT Gaika in Sydney on 30 July, 1918. They disembarked in London on 13 October. While stationed at Weymouth Depot, Ralph was admitted to the Military Hospital at Hurdcott on 18 October with an unknown illness. He served at Weymouth until 23 December.
Ralph returned to Australia on HMAT A38 Ulysses on 18 January 1918, arriving in Adelaide on 1 March and was discharged as medically unfit, with no details provided, on 30 July 1919.
Ralph was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Ralph Chamberlain died on 21 June 1951, aged 91 and was buried at Kersbrook Cemetery.
Source: www.naa:B2455; Chamberlain.R.J.; Barcode 3227511.
www.aif.adfa.edu.au/ Chamberlain. R.J.



Private Ralph Chamberlain
Photo courtesy of Kersbrook History Hub