Divisional Commander's congratulatory card : Private R L Chambers, 48 Battalion AIF

Divisional Commander's congratulatory card from Major General W Holmes CMG DSO VD to Private R L Chambers of 48 Battalion AIF. The card contains both printed and typed writing and reads 'MAJOR GENERAL W. HOLMES / C.M.G. D.S.O. V.D. COMMANDING / 4TH AUSTRALIAN DIVISION CONGRATULATES / NO. 1894 PRIVATE R.L. CHAMBERS, 48TH BATTALION, / A.I.F. / ON HIS OUTSTANDING BRAVERY IN THE FRONT LINE, AND WHEN / DEPRIVED OF HIS RIFLE ATTACKING A GERMAN AND / KNOCKING HIM OUT WITH HIS FISTS ON 11TH APRIL 1917 / PLACE B.E.F. FRANCE. / DATE 24TH MAY 1917.' The card is signed at the bottom by 'WILLIAM HOLMES / MG'. The card has been stored in Private Chambers' paybook cover. On the front of the cover, written in pen are Chambers' details '1894 / CROSSED FLAGS SIG R.L. CHAMBERS / D COMPANY / 48TH BATTALION / A.I.F.' There is also some writing in pen on the reverse side of the cover, but it is illegible.

Associated with the service of Private Ralph Lloyd Chambers who was born 29 July 1894 in Willowie, South Australia. Chambers was working as a farm labourer when the First World War began. He travelled to Adelaide and enlisted in the AIF on 25 January 1916. He was initially posted to the 3rd Light Horse as a reinforcement before being transferred to the 48th Battalion. He embarked with the 3rd reinforcements to the 48th Battalion, from Outer Harbour, Adelaide on 12 July. The troops sailed in the ship HMAT Seang Bee. After disembarking in Plymouth on 9 September, Chambers was taken on strength of the 12th Training Battalion. After two months training, he embarked from Folkestone on 20 November for France. He arrived in Etaples on 21 November. On 6 December, Chambers was taken on strength of the 48th Battalion, who were at that time billeted in Dernancourt. In early January 1917 the battalion moved into the line in Flers. It was here that Chambers came under fire for the first time. In April, the battalion took part in a major attack at Norieul, near Bullecourt. It was during this action that Chambers was awarded the Divisional Commander's congratulatory card. The battalion took their objectives, but were forced to retire due to the failure of supporting elements and heavy German counter attacks. On 30 April, Chambers was sent to hospital with influenza. He rejoined the battalion two weeks later after their attack on Bullecourt. On 8 May during the Battle of Messines, Chambers was knocked unconscious and concussed by a shell blast. He was taken to hospital in Wimereaux before moving to Number 3 camp near Havre to recuperate. On 24 October, Chambers rejoined the 48th Battalion who were in camp near Ypres after having seen heavy fighting around Westhoek Ridge and Passchendaele. The battalion spent the next month being brought back up to strength after having suffered heavy casualties during the Third Battle of Ypres. The battalion was back in the trenches in January 1918 in the Hollebeke sector. It was from here on 18 January that Chambers was sent to England for two weeks leave. In late March, the battalion moved to Albert to help stem the German Spring Offensive. Chambers took part in fierce fighting to defend Albert. On 5 April during particularly heavy fighting in the Albert sector, Chambers was evacuated to hospital suffering from Trench Fever. He was transferred back to England, where he was also found to have trench feet. By July he was transferred to 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield Park. In October he was classed as medically unfit, suffering shell shock. He embarked in the transport ship Borda on 20 October and arrived back in South Australia on 15 December. Chambers was discharged on 25 July 1919. Chambers enlisted for service in the Second World War on 11 July 1942. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion of the Volunteer Defence Corps for home service. He was discharged on 25 September 1945.