Turkish signalling flag : Major J C Chanter, 4 Light Horse Regiment, AIF

Cotton signalling flag made from three horizontal lengths (black, white and red) sewn together. A vertical sleeve is sewn down one end, allowing a wooden branch (still bearing bark, and splintered at the lower end) to be inserted as a handle. The black cotton has faded to an indigo in places, while the remainder of the flag is soiled and stained.

One of a pair of Turkish signalling flags captured when 4 Light Horse Regiment secured the Meidan Railway Station and the Turkish Hospital on the outskirts of Damascus on 1 October 1918, by Major John Courtenay Chanter.

Chanter, born Rochester, Victoria on 17 January 1881, was farming at Echuca when he enlisted in the AIF on 15 September 1914. He had already served in the Boer War with the NSW Bushman's Contingent as well as four years with the Victorian Rangers. Chanter immediately applied for a commission and was appointed Second Lieutenant with C Squadron, 9 Light Horse Regiment (LHR), which embarked from Melbourne on 11 February 1915 aboard the transport HMAT Karroo. The regiment landed at Gallipoli on 21 May under shrapnel fire, and relieved the Auckland Mounted Rifles on Walker's Ridge. Chanter was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 June. He was evacuated to Hospital Ship HS Neuralia with influenza on 6 July, returning to his regiment on 28 August, the day after it had suffered fifty per cent casualties assaulting Hill 60. He was made temporary Captain on 3 November.

After the evacuation of Gallipoli, the regiment become part of the ANZAC Mounted Division and the period January to March 1916 was spent in training before they joined the forces defending the Suez Canal from a Turkish drive across the Sinai Desert. Canter was confirmed in the rank of Captain on 15 March. After Romani, in August, 9 LHR became involved in the advance that followed the Turks' retreat. Between 22 October to 22 November, Chanter attended the School of Instruction at Zeitoun, before returning to duty as the Mounted Division approached Palestine and was involved in the fighting to secure the Turkish outposts of Maghdaba (23 December) and Rafa (9 January 1917). He was transferred to 4 LHR on 1 March 1917 and joined them at Ferry Post on 3 March where he was appointed second in command, B Squadron; within a few days he contracted a severe bout of pneumonia and was evacuated to Cairo. Between 9 and 16 March, Chanter was placed on the dangerously ill list; his family was cabled. It was not until 25 March that he was 'pronounced out of danger' and discharged, rejoining 4 LHR at Hill 200 near Romani. On 3 May Captain Chanter was made temporary Major 'whilst commanding a Squadron', then promoted to full Major on 26 May.

On 20 July 1917 Chanter was granted 4 weeks leave in Australia. He returned to 4 LHR on 30 December. On 2 January 1918 he was made temporary commander of A Squadron, as the Regiment was holding the line near Nalin. On 28 January he assumed command of the Regiment for a week while Colonel Bourchier was in temporary command of 4 Light Horse Brigade. The regiment moved into the Jordan Valley for the Es Salt raid between 29 April and 4 May and was instrumental in the major offensive along the Palestine coast, launched 19 September 1918, with Damascus as the objective. The mounted forces penetrated deep into the Turkish rear areas severing roads, railways and communications links. On 1 October 1918, a patrol of the 4th Light Horse were the first allied troops to enter Damascus.

Major Chanter was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for 'conspicuous gallantry, initiative & devotion to duty whilst leading his squadron across the Jordan near El Min on 28 September 18 under heavy fire. By personal reconnaissance he found a way across, was one of the first to get over and remained under fire assisting and directing his squadron. On 1 October he was in command of the Squadron which made the reconnaissance to Meidan Railway Station and his great dash and determination were the means of securing many thousands of prisoners.' Here, and at the Turkish Hospital, the unit captured some 11,900 Turks and 427 Germans. The signalling flags were acquired either here or at the Meidan Railway Station.

After discharge, John Chanter settled at Condobolin, NSW, as part of the Soldier Settler Scheme.