death_place death_date birth_place other_names birth_date known_for article_title name occupation
bondi junction , new south wales , australia 29 march 1982 wellington , new zealand jack chalmers 11 march 1894 albert medal/george cross recipient jack chalmers
 john chalmers engine driver soldier surf life saver ironworker
jack chalmers

john `` jack '' chalmers gc -lrb- 11 march 1894 -- 29 march 1982 -rrb- was a new zealand-born australian exchange recipient of the george cross , the highest decoration for gallantry awarded to civilians or to military personnel for actions `` not in the face of the enemy '' in the united kingdom and commonwealth .
a member of the north bondi surf life saving club , chalmers was awarded the albert medal in 1922 for his actions in rescuing a swimmer during a shark attack at coogee beach .
with the establishment of the george cross , the albert medal was discontinued and , in 1971 , living recipients of the decoration were invited to exchange their medal for the george cross ; chalmers took up the offer and formally became a recipient of the george cross .
