Harry Leslie Ewin DUNKLEY MC, DSO

DUNKLEY, Harry Leslie Ewin

    Service Number: VX5174
    Enlisted: 18 November 1939
    Last Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
    Last Unit: 2nd/6th Infantry Battalion
    Born: Creswick, Victoria, Australia, 22 December 1911
    Home Town: Kanumbra, Murrindindi, Victoria
    Schooling: Not yet discovered
    Occupation: School Master
    Died: Natural Causes, Geelong West, Victoria, Australia, 21 October 1979, aged 67 years
    Cemetery: Barrabool Hills Cemetery, Victoria
    Burial reference: - HGH-LAWN-CC-808-10. Personal inscription: - "LOVED AND REMEMBERED ALWAYS".
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    World War 2 Service

    18 Nov 1939: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Lieutenant Colonel, VX5174, 2nd/6th Infantry Battalion
    2 Jan 1941: Honoured Military Cross, Middle East / Mediterranean Theatre, At Bardia during the period 28 Dec 40 - 2 Jan 41 Lt. Dunkley Bn I.O. was employed almost continuously in day and night reconnaissance's of the forward area. His reports assisted materially in the planning of the attack on 3 Jan. On 3 Jan he was regularly in the forward area obtaining information regardless of the heavy fire in the area. On one occasion he directed fire on post 11 from a position swept by M.G. fire. His courage and devotion to duty contributed largely to the success of the Bn.
    15 Jan 1946: Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Lieutenant Colonel, VX5174, 2nd/6th Infantry Battalion
    2 Nov 1946: Honoured Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Kokoda - Papua, During the fighting on the NUMA NUMA TRAIL from early June '45 to cessation of hostilities Lt-Col, DUNKLEY carried out such a relentless policy of aggression that enemy activities were entirely paralysed and confined solely to the defence of their skilfully sited strong points. These were systematically eliminated at a remarkably low cost. Lt-Col, DUNKLEY'S outstanding record as a fighting officer; his coolness under fire combined with a tactical ability of the highest order were a constant inspiration to the men in his battalion and brought out the best of fighting discipline whether in set piece attack or deep long distance fighting patrols.

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    Biography contributed by Dianne Black

    Parents: - Edwin Ewen Dunkley and Priscillia Williams married 1905 in Victoria.

    Wife: - Grace Stuart McCutchan married 1943 in Victoria.

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