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The late Mr David Chalk's interest in World War I stemmed from the experiences of his Grandfather, Ernest Chalk, who served with the Australian Armed  Forces as a Lewis Gunner. Ernest was captured by German forces at Bullecourt in 1917 and held prisoner at Dulmen Lager until November 1918. 

In over 20 years research David recorded oral histories with about 20 returned soldiers and collected what could be described as one of the best private collections of books and material from World War I with particular focus on items relating to the 15th Battalion and the Lewis Gunners.

The untimely death of David at the age of 49 in 2002 saw much of what he hoped to achieve come to a halt. The Chalk Family Trust was formed to administer the estate, seek a suitable home for the collection and finish David's work with the publication of a book. As David wished, the significant collection of books and military objects stayed in Burnie and were donated to the Pioneer Village Museum.

The extensive collection of publications collected by David is available to the public for research purposes and can be accessed by making an appointment with Museum staff.

Bound hard copy transcripts of oral histories conducted by David Chalk and available for research at the Museum:

Mr Ernest Etchell - 15th Battallion

Mr Charles Devers - 15th Battallion  

Mr Len Pooley - 16th Battallion

Mr Horatio Ganson - 16th Battallion

David also interviewed:-

George Bell, Percy Bland, William Bradnock, Alec Campbell, Fay Chataway, Thomas Chataway, Reginald Colmer, Jack Cunliffe, Charles Devers, John Dogget, Eugene Fathers, Frederick Febey, William Fitzpatrick, Donald Fraser, Victor Groutsh, Ernest Guest, Robert Henry, Clarence James, Charles Kelly, Jack King, Arom Lawrie, Albert Marshall, Frank Massey, Francis McGinty, John Norris, Edward Pinnell, Horace Rumble, Lewis Sharp, Edmund Spencer, Keith Tamblyn, Harry Townsend, Arthur Tulloch, William Wadsworth, Westwood, James Wheeler, Aubrey Whittington, Herbert Wills.
More details can be obtained by emailing the Museum.

Please click here for the list of books available in the Chalk Collection.