AustLit

'In the days leading up to the battle of Fromelles in July 1916, First Lieutenant Eric Chinner was on fatigue duty, repairing trenches along the battlelines in France, near Fleurbaix. He was serving with the Australian Imperial Force in the 32nd Battalion of the 8th Infantry Brigade. At 6 pm on 19 July 1916 he led a party of grenadiers into the German trenches near Fromelles. On that one night the 5th Australian Division lost 5533 soldiers. The 32nd Battalion alone suffering a devastating loss of 17 officers and 701 other ranks.2 Chinner was mortally wounded during the battle. An exceptional young man, dearly loved by his family and friends, the letters and personal belongings he left behind give an insight into the experiences of a young officer serving in the Australian Imperial Force, and are now held in the State Library Victoria Manuscripts Collection.' (145)