Henry Norman Chandler was born at Hornchurch, Essex, England. A carpenter in civilian life, Chandler enlisted at Broken Hill, New South Wales, on 21 August 1914. He was single and listed his next of kin as his mother, Mrs E. Chandler, of Woodbury, London.

Sapper Chandler embarked from Melbourne on 22 September 1914 with 3rd Field Company Engineers. Onboard HMAT Geelong, Chandler was one of the performers in a concert given by the 3rd Field Company Engineers on 21 November 1914. The concert featured vocal solos, recitations, instrumentals and comedy acts including a performance of the song titled “The Rosary” by Chandler as the sixth item on the program.

The 3rd Field Company Engineers landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. Chandler was evacuated from Gallipoli in early June 1915 suffering from dysentery. Following medical treatment and convalescence on Malta, he returned to Gallipoli for duty on 28 July 1915. Only a few days later Lance Corporal Chandler was kille d in action on 1 August 1915, aged 24 years. He is buried in Shell Green Cemetery, Gallipoli.