DUNN, Alexander
| Service Number: | 16961 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 May 1916, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 8th Field Company Engineers |
| Born: | Newcastle, New South Wales, 23 March 1888 |
| Home Town: | Moree, Moree Plains, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Licensed surveyor/Mining engineer |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 8 May 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 16961, Sydney, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Aug 1917: | Embarked AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Tunnelling Companies, HMAT Themistocles, Melbourne | |
| 4 Aug 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Tunnelling Companies, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '6' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Themistocles embarkation_ship_number: A32 public_note: '' | |
| 10 Feb 1918: | Transferred AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 8th Field Company Engineers | |
| 17 Mar 1918: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 5th Divisional Engineers | |
| 6 Aug 1918: | Honoured Military Cross, "Peaceful Penetration - Low-Cost, High-Gain Tactics on the Western Front" | |
| 30 Oct 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 8th Field Company Engineers |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Heathfield High School
Alexander Dunn was born on the 23rd of March 1888 in Newcastle New South Wales.
His schooling is unknown, though after he left school, he became a licensed contractor and mining engineer until he was 28 years of age.
At the age of 28 he enlisted in the military joining at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He was sent to the engineer officers training school, and quickly placed in the 2nd Tunnelling ompany due to his knowledge as a civilian mining engineer. This company was formed in August 1916 and played key roles in developing galleries and chambers as trench warfare became an important part of the war. Alexander kept a war diary which has been used here to describe some of his military service from 1918.
On 23/01/1918 Alexander Dunn was moved to a new military engineering school, soon being sent to an artillery camp, on the 20/3/1918 his placement is hit by enemy artillery killing two infantry soldiers and wounding 6 others. Just 3 days later while outside of the camp, Dunn talks about another soldier being injured next to him after heavy fire. On the 21st of April 1918 he reflected in his diary about how the Red Baron, Baron Von Richthofen was shot down and killed by 2 Lewis gunners.
On the 11th of August 1918 it is recommended that Dunn be given the Military Cross medal roughly one year before he is discharged from the military on the 19th May 1919. Eight days later , Alexander was awarded the military cross “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Following an attack this officer was in charge of the reconnaissance of roads, railways, wells, dumps, &c., in the captured area. By keeping close up and organizing his various parties he was able to furnish headquarters with prompt information regarding water supply, tools, and stores &c., found. After seeing two tanks and a wagon blown up by mines, he, at great risk, removed or destroyed a number of others. He set a fine example of initiative and courage.”
Sources:
The information was from both the Grandson and Great Grandson of A Dunn as secondary sources and personal accounts from A Dunn’s diary as primary source.
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