DUNNING, Ernest Arthur
| Service Number: | SX8073 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 5 July 1940, Wayville, SA |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | HQ Guard Battalion |
| Born: | Wokurna, South Australia, Australia, 13 October 1900 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Woodville West, City of Charles Sturt, South Australia, Australia, 27 June 1977, aged 76 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Enfield Memorial Park, South Australia Rose Garden Burial, Row Q, Site Number 12 |
| Memorials: | Renmark District Roll of Honour WW2 |
World War 2 Service
| 5 Jul 1940: | Involvement Private, SX8073 | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Wayville, SA | |
| 5 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX8073, HQ Guard Battalion | |
| 19 Sep 1941: | Discharged | |
| 19 Sep 1941: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX8073, HQ Guard Battalion | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
Military Service Summary – Ernest Arthur Dunning
Military Service Summary – Ernest Arthur Dunning
Service Number: SX8073
Rank: Private
Unit(s): 2/48th Battalion → HQ Guard Battalion
Enlisted: 5 July 1940 – Renmark, South Australia
Discharged: 19 September 1941
Total Service Duration: 1 year, 2 months, 14 days
Theatres of War: North Africa, Middle East
Medals Awarded:
1939–45 Star
Africa Star
War Medal 1939–45
Australia Service Medal
Chronological Service Overview
5 July 1940 – Enlistment
Enlisted at Renmark, SA
Age: 39 years, Occupation: Labourer
Medical Class I (fit for duty)
7 July 1940 – Embarked for Training
Posted to 7th Infantry Training Battalion (7 I.T.B.), Wayville Camp
Transferred through 2/1st Training Depot (2/1 T.D.) and 2/48th Battalion
Deployment: Middle East Theatre
1 November 1940 – Embarked from Australia on HMT Strathmore
Sailed for the Middle East
Pre-embarkation leave taken in late October
17 December 1940 – Arrived Egypt
Disembarked and joined Australian forces in North Africa
Service in North Africa (Libya / Egypt)
14 January 1941 – Appendix Scar Issue
Developed issues with a scarred right lower abdomen, initially treated at sea and in Helwan and Abbassia (Egypt)
15–25 January 1941 – Hospitalised
Treated at 2/1 Australian General Hospital (AGH), Gaza Ridge, and transferred between field and base hospitals
26 January 1941 – Rejoined Unit
Returned to active duty with 2/48th Battalion
2 February – 6 March 1941
Active operations with unit
Several internal medical admissions (pleurisy, tonsillitis)
Treated again at Gaza Ridge and 2/1 AGH
19 March – 22 April 1941 – Further hospitalisation
Admitted for suspected appendicitis/tonsillitis
Reports indicate ongoing chest pain and fatigue
Return to Australia
28 July 1941 – Embarked for Return to Australia
Embarked Middle East aboard troopship (exact ship not listed)
18 August 1941 – Disembarked and Admitted
Disembarked and transferred to 4th Military District hospitals
Final medical treatment and assessment
19 September 1941 – Discharged
Officially discharged from service as medically unfit
Discharge reason: Recurrent pleurisy and scar tissue inflammation
Returned Active Service Badge (number A.1695)
Physical Description at Enlistment
Hair: Light Brown
Eyes: Grey
Build: Average
Identifying Mark: Linear scar on left side of forehead
Notable Observations:
Though his service was under 15 months, it involved deployment to active combat zones, particularly in Libya and Egypt with the 2/48th Battalion, a unit that later became famous for its role in Tobruk and El Alamein.
His time in service was marked by significant medical challenges, likely aggravated by the harsh desert conditions.
Despite these challenges, Ernest fulfilled his duties abroad and returned to Australia with full honours and eligibility for campaign medals.
Service summary by Trevor Pyatt - 25/07/205
Submitted 25 July 2025 by Trevor Pyatt
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