Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Edward's older brother, 4673 Pte. Irwin Bunyan also of the 19th Battalion AIF, as they had enlisted together,  died of wounds inflicted at Bullecourt on 11 May 1917.

Nepean Times 24 November 1917, p3 c3

Our Soldiers:  But a few months ago, we had to chronicle with deep regret the sad news of the death of wounds received in action of Private Irwin Bunyan, of Emu Plains; and it is now our very sad duty to have to record the death of his (Private Irwin Bunyan's brother), Edward Bunyan, seventh son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Bunyan, senior., of Emu Plains who - per advices from the Base Records Department - was killed in action recently on the Western Front.  Only meagre particulars are to hand so far, and the bereaved parents and family are not yet informed as to details of the gallant young hero's death. The deceased was a native of Emu Plains and attended the public school there in his boyhood, enlisted with his late brother and two cousins on 27th January, 1916.  Prior to enlistment he had been in the employ of Mr. Chapple, Emu Plains for some six years, and was a young fellow of the most kindly and genial disposition, and of the best repute.  He was an enthusiastic lover of sports, a keen cricketer and footballer, and a good rifle shot.  On the eve of leaving for the seat of war, April 1916, he was presented with a money belt and other mementoes by the people of Emu Plains, and also a safety razor and pocket book by Mr. Chapple.  He sailed for the front on 14th April, 1916, and after several months training at Salisbury Plains, England, was sent to the Australian sector of the Western Front, and spent his 26th birthday (3rd October 1916) in the trenches.  At time of his demise Private E Bunyan was, we understand, a despatch runner, and had many close calls in that perilous duty. We publish the following lines forwarded by parents of deceased soldier in connection with their two sons' heroic deaths:

"Two brothers from our sunny shore -

Two brothers, young and brave -

Sailed to the stormy seat of war,

And one the other went before

To fill a hero's grave

Then the other, loyal and true

Cried out, 'Come clasp my hand,

I cannot return without you

To our sunny southern land’;

So he too, paid the hero's debt,

And so his valiant brother met

In God's Immortal Band."