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Finding Aid Index Request Information
Overview | Administrative Information | Container List
Each Finding Aid can be keyword searched using the Ctrl F function on your keyboard.
Manuscript Name | Papers of Willie Neville Majoribank Chester |
Manuscript Number | MSS 364 |
Last Updated | August 2021 |
Extent | 1 cm (1 box) |
Location | Special Collections, UNSW Canberra |
Abstract | Copy of a brief diary kept during the First World War by Willie Chester, 1915-1918, measuring 120cm x 90cm. His diary describes shipboard life; training in Egypt and England; and the frustrations and horrors of the campaigns in France and Belgium. |
Digital content available from this collection:
Diary 1: 5 November 1915-22 December 1918
1915-1918
Willie Neville Majoribank Chester was born in Papua New Guinea, and served as a Private in the Australian Army Medical Corps, Special Reinforcements, from 29 November 1915 to 10 June 1919. Chester enlisted at the Town Hall, Sydney, NSW, on the 28 August 1915, and entered Holsworthy Camp, NSW, on 28 September 1915, in DCoy, 9th Battalion. He transferred to the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) on 29 November 1915. He embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT A61 Kanowna on 29 March 1916, and disembarked in Egypt on 7 May 1916. He left Egypt on 29 May 1916, for England, disembarking on 11 June 1916 at Plymouth. He departed from Folkestone on the Princess Victoria on 16 July 1916, and arrived at Boulogne, France on 16 July 1916.
Chester served with the 2nd Field Ambulance, Australian Army Medical Corps in France and Belgium from 1916-1918. He returned to Australia on the 10 June 1919.
References:
Ian Chester
First World War Unit Embarkation Roll
National Archives of Australia, April 2006
Papers of Willie Neville Majoribank Chester, Special Collections, UNSW Canberra, Australian Defence Force Academy, MSS 364, Box [Number], Folder [Number].
Soldiers -- Australia -- Diaries
Soldiers -- Australia -- Archives
World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives, Australian
World War, 1914-1918 -- Biography
World War, 1914-1918 -- Australia