Kingdom in September. Following the Armistice, Chalmers returned to Australia on 3 July 1919 and was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 18 October. Re-settling in Sydney with his wife, Chalmers joined the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club. In 1921, he won belt races at several beaches around Sydney, and won the Australian Lifesaving Belt Championship the following year. Albert Medal On 4 February 1922, Chalmers was on duty at Coogee Beach when Milton Coughlan, a body surfer, was attacked by a shark. Tying a line around his waist, Chalmers scrambled across the rocks where he slipped becoming dazed. Despite this, he dived into the water and swam out to Coughlan. Chalmers grabbed hold of him, and the pair were assisted ashore by Frank Beaurepaire. Coughlan was rushed to hospital with extensive injuries to his arms, where he died soon after admission. Chalmers actions during the incident were widely publicised in the media, with The Sydney Mail describing the rescue as "one of the most glorious deeds of gallantry ever recorded in Australia". Both Chalmers and Beaurepaire were awarded medals from the Royal Shipwreck Relief & Humane Society of New South Wales and the Surf Life Saving Association of New South Wales. On 7 July 1922, the announcement and accompanying citation for Chalmers to be awarded the Albert Medal was published in the London Gazette, reading: Chalmers and Beaurepaire were both granted life memberships with the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club and North Bondi Surf Life Saving Clubs for their efforts during the rescue. Following fund raising by the public, Chalmers was given £3000, which he used to repay the mortgage on his home and place a deposit on a truck. Later life In 1971, owing to the decline in status and significance of the Albert Medal, the British Government announced that the decoration would be abolished and living recipients would henceforth be regarded as holders of the George Cross. The change came into effect from 21 October, and living recipients were accordingly invited to exchange their medals. All six Australian Albert Medal recipients living at the time opted to accept the offer, Chalmers and four others travelling to London to receive their awards. The five men, Stanley Gibbs, Robert Kavanaugh, William McAloney, Dick Richards and Chalmers, were presented with their George Crosses by Queen Elizabeth II in an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 12 July 1972.