Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Martin Bunch, an Australian veteran of both World Wars who served our nation at Gallipoli during WWI, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with a plaque recognising their service for Australia.

We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 23 September 2023, along with a further 300 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

Service files:
WWI: 2112, Private, 49th Battalion

WWII: Q186709, Private, 1st Garrison Battalion

WWII: Q67604, Sergeant, 7th Training Battalion

Martin Bunch was born on 4 November 1886 at Redfern, New South Wales, the son of Patrick Bunch and Bridget Bunch (née Crowe). He later lived in Queensland and was employed in occupations including labourer, cook and barman. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Brisbane on 29 March 1915 and embarked with the 9th Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Karoola in June 1915. He served at Gallipoli and subsequently in the Middle East and France.

His First World War service was significantly affected by illness. In 1915 he experienced repeated admissions for dysentery and diarrhoea while serving at Gallipoli and in Egypt. In November 1917, while serving in France, he was admitted to the 7th General Hospital suffering from severe erysipelas of the face and was later evacuated to England. During the First World War, erysipelas was a recognised concern in military medicine, being a bacterial skin infection that often complicated wounds and was associated with the unhygienic conditions of trench warfare. When it affected the face, it was frequently characterised by a distinctive “butterfly-shaped” rash. Following prolonged hospitalisation and convalescence, he was invalided to Australia aboard HMAT Warwickshire and discharged from the AIF on medical grounds in July 1919.

During the Second World War, Martin Bunch served on two separate occasions with the Australian Military Forces. He first enlisted as a Private under service number Q186709 and served with the 1st Garrison Battalion. He later re-enlisted under service number Q67604 and served with the 7th Training Battalion, attaining the rank of Sergeant. His Second World War service was primarily in training and camp staff roles and was affected by ongoing medical issues, including hearing loss. He was finally discharged on 19 May 1945 at the age of 58, with the stated reasons being senility and deafness.

Martin Bunch died from bronchopneumonia on 7 July 1952 at Brisbane Hospital, aged 65, and he was buried in Anzac Portion 8, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. His death registration records the existence of two daughters.

After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.