Chalmers, David Hugh (Brigadier, b.1958)

Collection relating to the service of Brigadier Dave Chalmers, Commander Combined Joint Task Force 629, Operation Sumatra Assist, Indonesia, 2005.

The collection consists of a Field Survey Notebook covering the period from 1 January to 24 March, 2005. The notebook contains records of briefings, meetings and 'to do' notes. The first entry in the notebook reads 'How to describe the human tragedy when 1km inland whole villages are scoured away'. Brigadier Chalmers records notes on contaminated wells; surgical team deployments; lack of sanitation; threat of aftershocks and/or terrorism; ministerial visits. Also in the notebook is a nautical chart of the area around Banda Aceh, and a printed out photograph of Brigadier Chalmers at his desk in Aceh, with the field notebook next to him.

On Boxing Day 2004, an earthquake measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale occurred in the Indian Ocean off the west coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. This caused a series of tsunamis that resulted in the death of some 230,000 people. The greatest loss of life and damage to infrastructure occurred around Banda Aceh, on the north-west tip of Sumatra. In response to the crisis, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) launched Operation Sumatra Assist. The ADF deployed Air Force, Navy and Army and at the height of the operation around 900 ADF personnel were involved. The three forces operated as Joint Task Force 629.

Major General Dave Chalmers joined the Australian Army in 1977 and was commissioned into the Royal Australian Armoured Corps from Royal Military College. After a variety of appointments in tank and cavalry units, he commanded a reconnaissance regiment in 1997/98. He was National Commander on operations in East Timor in 2001/2002, commanded the 7th Brigade in 2004/05, and the Australian Defence Force relief effort following the Boxing Day 2004 Tsunami.

In 1997 Major General Chalmers was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for his work on the Army 21 Review. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2003 for his service in East Timor and promoted to become an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2006 for distinguished service in Sumatra. After commanding the Northern Territory Emergency Response in 2007/08 Major General Chalmers transferred to the Australian Public Service in 2010. Subsequently he served in Indigenous Affairs and Veterans’ Affairs, most recently as First Assistant Secretary Commemorations and War Graves.