BLUNT, Harry Stephen
| Service Number: | 1238 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Divisional Signal Company |
| Born: | Saddleworth, South Australia, 25 September 1981 |
| Home Town: | Hanson, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Hanson Public School |
| Occupation: | Stationmaster with South Australian Railways |
| Died: | North Adelaide, South Australia, 21 October 1984, aged 3 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia |
| Memorials: | Adelaide Grand Masonic Lodge WW1 Honour Board (1), Adelaide South Australian Railways WW1 & WW2 Honour Boards, Burra District WW1 Honor Roll, Burra Hanson Public School Roll of Honor, Freeling Boer War, Boxer Rebellion and WW1 Memorial Panel, Terowie Institute Honour Board, Wasleys and District Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Oct 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, 1238, 2nd Divisional Signal Company, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '6' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ulysses embarkation_ship_number: A38 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Oct 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, 1238, 2nd Divisional Signal Company, HMAT Ulysses, Melbourne |
Help us honour Harry Stephen Blunt's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Adelaide Botanic High School
Harry Stephen Blunt was born 25 September 1891 in Saddleworth, South Australia. His parents were Edward Stephen Blunt and Ellen Blunt (nee Slough). He had 6 siblings - Gladys Hilda (1887-1959, Stella Alice (1888-1972), Leila Annie (1890-1982), Jack Alvin (1893-1980), Edward Keith (1895-1879), Bertie George (1901-1975). He attended Hanson Public School. He then became a Stationmaster and worked with the South Australian Railways in the mid-north of South Australia. As per his later Attestation Papers, he stated his religious denomination to be Methdodist. His Brother Edward Keith also served in WW1.
He was the age of 23 and 9 months at the time of enlistment, which was the 15th of June 1915. His standing height was 5 feet 11 and ¾ inches, chest width 34.5 inches:39 inches, and weight 160lbs. His papers describe that he had hazel eyes, brown hair, and a medium complexion. on was accepted.
Blunt embarked 27th October 1915 and disembarked in the Middle East for further training. He proceeded to France in March 1916 as a Sapper with the 2nd Divisional Signal Company and the following month was admitted to hospital with influenza, which he was diagnosed with on the 17/4/1916. He developed bronchitis and remained in hospital for several weeks until he was discharged to duty 2nd June 1916.He was appointed Lance Corporal in November 1916. In February 1917 he was promted to 2nd Corporal Vice and Corporal on 3 April 1917. In June he was promoted to Sergeant and he took a week's leave at the start of the following month in the UK. He was selected to attend an Officers Training College Signal Cadet Course in England which he began 14 July 1917. He was granted another week's leave in December and was pormoted to 2nd Lieutenant. He qualified for a commission to Lieutenant in February 1918 and then proceeded overseas to France from Southamption 18 February 1918. He was taken on strength with his unit 2nd Divisional Signal Company 24 February.
Blunt was Mentioned in Despatches by Sir D. Haig 16 March 1919 which was published in the London Gazette 11 July 1919 and the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 30 October 1919. He returned to Australia on the ship 'Mahia' 4th of June 1919 and arrived back in Australia 18 July 1919. His appointment as a Lieutenant was terminated 9 September 1919 due to cessation of hostilities.
Blunt married Gladuse May (nee Severin), in Kapunda, 1919 and together they had one son Brian Stephen who was born in Eudunda. During the 1930's the family lived in Port Pirie. Blunt's son Brian served in WW2 as a Leading Aircraftman with the RAAF (SN 154499)
Blunt applied for a war service home in July 1965. His wife died in 1979 and Blunt died
References:
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AIF Project: Details