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**beckercpa** · 08-26-2009, 12:36 AM

My Great Grandfather (Rob Chalmers) and his brother (John Chalmers) where top Australian surf life-savers after serving in WW1.

Both recieved awards for bravery from different rescues.

For one particular shark attack rescue in 1922, John was awarded the Albert Medal
the highest award given for gallantry awarded to civilians or to military personnel for actions "not in the face of the enemy" in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth The public raised funds to help out his family

Public testimonial funds raised at least £3000 for Chalmers. Proceeds from the Referee and Sunday Times and the North Bondi Life Saving Club appeals were used to pay off the debt on his home, while those from the citizens’ committee appeal were used to pay a deposit on a truck, and to make investments Those in Australia will recognise the name Sir Frank Beaurepaire who also was awarded the Albert Medal after following John into the water a few minutes later.

In 1972 at Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II conferred the George Cross on John Chalmers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Chalmers

http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A170196b.htm

Chalmers considered that as the belt champion he had a responsibility to act: `The fact is that I went in first and worried about it after, and am still worrying, for I shall never forget the shocking sight’. My grandfather says that during Johns rescue their where mulitiple sharks always in close quarters as they where dragged back into the beach (they used belts back then).

Milton Coughlan was the 18 year old who was attacked, sadly he died in hospital from his horrific wounds to his arms.

08-26-2009, 12:36 AM	#39
beckercpa Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 459 Senior Member	My Great Grandfather (Rob Chalmers) and his brother (John Chalmers) where top Australian surf life-savers after serving in WW1. Both recieved awards for bravery from different rescues. For one particular shark attack rescue in 1922, John was awarded the Albert Medal the highest award given for gallantry awarded to civilians or to military personnel for actions "not in the face of the enemy" in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth The public raised funds to help out his family Public testimonial funds raised at least £3000 for Chalmers. Proceeds from the Referee and Sunday Times and the North Bondi Life Saving Club appeals were used to pay off the debt on his home, while those from the citizens’ committee appeal were used to pay a deposit on a truck, and to make investments Those in Australia will recognise the name Sir Frank Beaurepaire who also was awarded the Albert Medal after following John into the water a few minutes later. In 1972 at Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II conferred the George Cross on John Chalmers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Chalmers http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A170196b.htm Chalmers considered that as the belt champion he had a responsibility to act: `The fact is that I went in first and worried about it after, and am still worrying, for I shall never forget the shocking sight’. My grandfather says that during Johns rescue their where mulitiple sharks always in close quarters as they where dragged back into the beach (they used belts back then). Milton Coughlan was the 18 year old who was attacked, sadly he died in hospital from his horrific wounds to his arms.
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