Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Margaret Phillips

Club Historian Gilberton Amateur Swimming Club Inc.

Hunt was born on 6 October 1894 in Adelaide. He was the second of seven children born to Frederick and Mary Hunt (nee Herraman). Charles attended Unley Model School and The School of Mines and then worked with the Adelaide Municipal Tramways Trust.

Hunt had served in the AMF 80 th Battalion Senior Cadets as a Lieutenant at enlistment. His father reported that his son was interested in military affairs and was a personal friend of Colonel Fulton of the Light Horse. Charles had three cousins (two English and one Australian) who were listed amongst the fallen.

Hunt was working as a Clerk at North Mine, Broken Hill when he left his employment to travel to Morphettville to enlist. He enlisted as a Private but within seven days he rose through Acting Corporal to Sergeant.

"THE LATE SERGEANT C. L. HUNT

Sergeant C. L. Hunt, who was killed in action at the Dardanelles, was the eldest son of Mr. F. O. Hunt, of Gilbert-street, Gilberton, and brother of Mrs. William Gould, jun., of Stirling. He was 20 years of age on October 6 last, and was one of the first to volunteer for service. He left with the 1st Contingent. He was educated at the Unley Public School. On leaving school he entered the service of the Municipal Tramways Trust. He was afterwards employed at the Military Staff Office and by Matters & Co., and was at the North Broken Hill mine when he enlisted. Sergeant Hunt was a lieutenant in the Senior Cadets, but resigned his commission to join the 10th Battalion as a sergeant rather than wait for a later contingent." - from the Adelaide Chronicle 26 Jun 1915 (nla.gov.au)

"THE LATE SGT. C. L. HUNT.

As a tribute of affectionate respect to the memory of their late brother, Sgt. Charles L. Hunt, members of the Gilberton and Brougham Place Brotherhoods held a united memorial service on Sunday afternoon. A detachment of about 50 members of B Company, Walkerville, Senior Cadets, of which Sgt. Hunt was a lieutenant, marched to the service, and took part in the proceedings. Lieuts. Reg, Cheek, Barrett, Brown, and Rodley were also in attendance. The Chiarman of the Gilberton Brotherhood (Mr. C. Whiting, jun.) referred to the efficiency, the strong sense of duty, the unselfish willingness, and the cheerfulness of spirit which characterized the departed hero. The patriotism of all those who were left would be quickened by the story of his response to the Empire's call. Mr. J. B. Anderson (Chairman of Brougham Place Brotherhood) expressed the hope that adequate reminders of the valour of the brave Australians, who had given their lives in their country's service, would be erected. The Rev. A. E. Gifford, referred to great men who had fought for the ideals and fame of England, and spoke powerfully of the justice and righteousness of the cause in which the Allies are engaged, At the conclusion of his address the "Dead March" in "Saul" was played by Mr. Walsh. Subsequently "the last post" was sounded. A collection in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Comforts Fund was taken up." - from the Adelaide Observer 03 Jul 1915 (nla.gov.au)