John Francis DUNSTAN (Private 1261)
Birth: 1896 Camden, NSW, AustraliaDeath: 10 Feb 1918 (age 22) Belgium, Killed in Action Cemetery or Memorial: The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium Father: John Thomas DUNSTAN ( - 1945) Mother: Mary Alice BUGDEN (24 Jan 1872 - 1945) John was educated at Summer Hill Public School. His occupation was Barber when he enlisted in Petersham in December 1915. He re-enlisted in Melbourne on 8 March 1916 as John Francis Rankin (Rankin being his aunt's name) and served in the 37th Battalion A.I.F. He departed Melbourne on the 'Persic' 3 June 1916 and arrived in Plymouth 25 June 1916. He arrived in France 11 September 1916. He was sent to England in November that year with Trench Feet. He went AWL a few times in England before being sent back to the Front in November 1917. A Statutory Declaration received by the Army from his father John Dunstan in 1918 states "The only reason that I can account for that is he enlisted in Sydney in Dec 1915 and went into camp at Liverpool and seeming he got in with a very rough lot in his tent and seemed to be dissatisfied as some of the party used to come in intoxicated and make it very uncomfortable for him as he was a very quiet lad himself and did not take any drink. He often told me he could keep nothing in the tent as it was always stolen. And then the riot occurred in Feb and he made up his mind to go to Melbourne and re-enlisted there and went into camp at Seymour and I suppose being afraid if he gave his name Dunstan he may have been brought back. That is the only reason I can account for him saying 'Father and Mother deceased'. When he came home on his final leave he did not mention it. He told me he enlisted in his aunt's name to save any trouble and that he would come back alright and not to worry. I will be thankful to you to record his right name." Private John Francis DUNSTAN was killed in action during a night raid in Belgium on 10 February 1918 age 22. |
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