GUNNING, Norman Stannus
| Service Number: | S35727 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Field Ambulance |
| Born: | Renmark, South Australia, 13 December 1895 |
| Home Town: | Rose Park, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Adelaide High School, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Medical Practitioner |
| Died: | South Australia, 20 July 1964, aged 68 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Lieutenant Colonel, S35727 | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Feb 1944: | Discharged Lieutenant Colonel, 3rd Field Ambulance | |
| 13 Feb 1944: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lieutenant Colonel, S35727, 3rd Field Ambulance | |
| Date unknown: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lieutenant Colonel, S35727, 3rd Field Ambulance |
Biography
Published Biography
http://www.bjj.boneandjoint.org.uk/content/jbjsbr/47-B/4/796.full.pdf
(see document)
Additional Biography
Early Life
Norman was born at Renmark, SA, on the 13 December 1895, the son of Arthur Stannus Gunning and Helen Amelia Jarrett. He spent his early years at Maitland where his Father was the Head Teacher. Norman’s grandfather (Dr A.T. Gunning) was the first Doctor at Naracoorte, SA.
Norman’s name first appears in the local newspapers winning prizes at the Maitland Show. After leaving school Norman became a Blacksmith and Wheelwright.
World War I
Norman enlisted in the 43 Battalion, on the 21st February 1916, aged 20. He was described as 5’ 5¼”, 122 lbs and with blue eyes and brown hair. Norman embarked from Adelaide on 28th August 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth, England on 11th October 1916. Norman attended Signalling School and qualified as a 2nd Class Instructor. On the 13th June 1917 Norman was promoted Corporal and remained in England in various roles until 1918. On the 19th June 1918 Norman landed at Havre, France and was taken on strength with the 45th Battalion. He returned to Australia on the “Wiltshire” on 4th July 1919.
Post WWI
Norman returned to schooling after the War and passed his Senior Exams in 1920.
Adelaide University
Norman commenced studying Medicine at Adelaide University in 1921. He graduated MB BS in December 1926.
University Sport
Football
“Dr Gunning commenced at the Blacks in 1922. An outstanding player, either at full forward or full back, he played Intervarsity football throughout his Blacks’ playing career (1922-1926), was vice-captain of the club in 1926, represented the State in the inaugural state amateur game in 1925, and again in 1926, and received a Blue in 1923 followed by an Australian ‘Blue’ in 1926. Dr Gunning served as club Secretary in 1923 and 1924, followed by President from 1937 until 1946. He was an inaugural inductee to life membership at the Blacks in 1952 and his name is ascribed to the A grade best and fairest medal.”
Norman was a member of the 1922 A Grade Premiership team, the first post war Amateur League premiership for the Blacks. Norman was an inaugural inductee to the AUFC Hall of Fame (2012).
Although Norman was a keen cricketer and had played for North Adelaide in the SACA B Grade competition, while at studying medicine, he apparently did not play for the Adelaide University Cricket Club.
Career
Norman was appointed as a Medical Officer at the Adelaide Hospital in January 1927. In November 1927 he commenced practicing in Kapunda, SA. Norman played cricket for Kapunda in the Barossa and Light Association and was vice-captain of both the local cricket and football teams. In July 1928, “Capt. N. S. Gunning, of the Army Medical Corps, who is attached to 3rd Light Horse,... passed in subjects A and B for confirmation in provisional rank.” In August 1928 Norman was appointed Medical Officer to the hospital at Mackie, Queensland. The esteem of the Kapunda community for Dr Gunning can be seen in the Kapunda Herald article (see documnet).
Norman returned to South Australia in July 1930.
On the 28th August 1930 Norman (aged 34) married Muriel Marjory Price (aged 25), the daughter of Athelston George Price, at St Peter’s Cathedral Adelaide (SA Marriage Registration 324/448).
In August 1933 Norman and Muriel left for England on an 18-month trip. The object of the trips was to enable Norman to undertake further study in British and Continental schools. The trip also included some holidaying as Norman was in Malta in January 1934. The couple returned to Adelaide in March 1935.
“Dr. N. S. Gunning, an Adelaide surgeon, is returning to Adelaide in the Moreton Bay after 18 months in England, during which he obtained his F.R.C.S., at Edinburgh, and the mastership in surgery of Liverpool University. specialising in orthopaedics. He is accompanied by his wife. The Moreton Bay reached Fremantle today.” Norman immediately returned to his role with the A.A.M.C. as the Kapunda Herald states, on 5 April 1935,”Dr. N. S. Gunning, who recently returned from England, visited Kapunda on Sunday. Dr. Gunning has been in camp as medical officer with the Light Horse at Salisbury.”
In addition to his other interests, Norman was Hon Doctor for the Norwood Football Club, he played golf and tennis and regularly attended performances at the Repertory Theatre.
Norman was an Honorary Demonstrator in the Adelaide University Department of Anatomy in 1935, 1936 and 1938 and a Temporary Assistant in the same Department in 1936.
Norman and Muriel had three daughters, Julienne (b 1933), Rosney (b 1935) and Shelley (b 1937).
From 1938-1941, Norman is referred to as being of Kensington Road, Rose Park. In August 1940 Norman became a clinical assistant to the orthopaedic section at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
World War II
Norman enlisted in WWII. In May 1939 he was promoted from Captain to Major and in October 1941 he was was appointed as temporary lieutenant-colonel to command a Cavalry Field Ambulance. In March 1941 he became the Deputy Police Medical Officer in the absence of Dr A.W. Welch on military duty. Norman served in New Guinea. On the 25th July 1942 he took over from Brennan as the ADMS (Assistant Director Medical Services) of the New Guinea Forces. In October 1943 Norman had Consulting Rooms at Lister House, North Terrace.
Post WWI
After WWII, Norman was appointed as an honorary clinical assistant to the Orthopaedics department at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. In December 1945 he was present at the opening of the L.O. Betts Memorial Room at Estcourt House, Grange.
In 1949 Norman bought land near Naracoorte, SA. In May 1950 he became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
Dr and Mrs N. Stannus Gunning appeared frequently in the social pages particularly during the period when their three daughters were “coming out” and turning twenty-one.
On the 25th October 1956, Lieutenant Colonel S35727 Norman Stannus Gunning, Royal Australian Army Medical Corps (Medical) (now Retired List) was awarded the Australian Efficiency Decoration, awarded to part-time officers after twenty years of service (not necessarily continuous) as an efficient and thoroughly capable officer.
Death
Dr Norman Stannus Gunning died on the 18th July 1964 (aged 68); his last abode had been at Glenunga. (SA Death Registration 976/6863).
For the complete profile including photographs, newspaper articles, documents and sources prepared by Beth Filmer for the AUFC/AUCC WWI Memorial Project (with assistance from Rob O'Shannassy) please see the document attached or the Adelaide University site AdelaideConnect at
https://connect.adelaide.edu.au/nodes/view/25850
Submitted 11 June 2025 by Eleanor Filmer
Biography contributed by Annette Summers
GUNNING Norman Stannus ED MCh FRCS(Ed) Ortho FRACS
1895-1964
Norman Stannus Gunning was born, on 13th December 1895, in Renmark, South Australia. He was the son of Arthur Stannus Gunning and Helen Amelia, nee Jarrett. He was educated at Adelaide High School. Gunning initially worked as a wheel-right, before enlisting in 1/AIF in WW1, on 9th February 1916. He had served in the 24th Light Horse in Maitland where his family had moved. He trained as a signaller, in the United Kingdom, and he was promoted Corporal before joining the 43rd Battalion in France. He returned to Australia on 4th July 1919. Gunning had been encouraged to take up medicine as a career by Doctor Lionel Oxborrow Betts, a general practitioner in Maitland, and later orthopaedic surgeon, who also served during WW1. Gunning studied medicine at the University of Adelaide graduating MB BS in 1926. Gunning played football and cricket at university and maintained a lifelong interest in the football club. Gunning married Muriel Marjory Prince, she was the daughter George Athelstan Prince and Edith, nee Thompson, on 28th August 1930, in St Peter’s Cathedral. Following six years in general practice and various attachments in hospitals, including Kapunda, South Australia and Queensland, he pursued his interest in surgery and, particularly, in orthopaedic surgery. Gunning went to England for post-graduate study, in 1933. He gained his Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh and his MCh Ortho, in Liverpool, in 1934.
Between the World Wars, he continued to serve in the militia. He was commissioned, as a Captain, in the AAMC in 1927. He was promoted major, in 1939, at the beginning of WW2. He was made temporary a lieutenant colonel on 8th September 1941 and appointed CO of 6 Cav FdAmb. He was called up for full-time duty and appointed CO of 3rd FdAmb, on 19th November 1941. 3rd FdAmb was the first militia medical unit sent to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, to support 30th Bde. 3 FdAmb remained a militia unit and had undergone hasty equipping and preparation in Adelaide and left on Christmas day for New Guinea. The unit had to prepare roads, gather stores and dig slit trenches because nothing was ready in Murray Barracks for their reception. He arrived with his unit, on 3rd January 1942. He was appointed ADMS New Guinea Force on 25th January. Gunning was confirmed as lieutenant colonel on 1st of September, but returned from New Guinea, in September 1942, because of ill health. He was appointed Orthopaedic Specialist of 105 AGH at Daw Park, SA, from 1942 to 1944. On 13th February 1944 he was placed on Reserve of Officers list
Gunning continued his orthopaedic career after the war. He was Assistant Honorary Orthopaedic surgeon at the Royal Adelaide Hospital from 1947 to 1955. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 1948. Gunning was President of the South Australian Branch of the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Dr W. J. Betts, Chairman of the Australian Orthopaedic Association, said that Gunning was one of the pioneers of orthopaedic surgery, in South Australia, and the Commonwealth. He wrote many papers on orthopaedic surgery. He was said to have an unusual personality which made him popular with his peers and friends. Gunning and his wife Muriel had three daughters. The eldest was a medical graduate who topped her final year and practised as an anaesthetist. Norman Stannus Gunning died, on the 20th July 1964, survived by his wife and three daughters.
Source
Blood, Sweat and Fears III: Medical Practitioners South Australia, who Served in World War 2.
Swain, Jelly, Verco, Summers. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2019.
Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD
Click images to start slideshow.