Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Excerpt from Blood Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australian who Served in World War 1. Courtesy of the Authors

Harold Frank Dunstan (Kollosche) was born at Semaphore, South Australia on the 3rd March 1890, the eldest son of John Kollosche and Bayliss, nee Dunstan of Croydon Park, South Australia. His father was formerly a school master at Clare. Dunstan studied medicine at the University of Adelaide. It was during his university years that he changed his name from Kollosche to Dunstan, his mother’s maiden name. He graduated in 1914.

Dunstan enlisted in the AIF at Adelaide on 1st March 1916 at the age of 26 years. He had 3 months experience in the AAMC Reserve from the 1st December 1915.  He was 5ft 10ins, and weighed 150lbs.  He was appointed as a captain in the 11FdAmb. He embarked, after three months training, on the 31st May 1916. His unit was sent to France in December and moved into the front line near Armentieres where they spent a very bleak winter. Dunstan was evacuated to hospital for over five weeks with bronchitis In January 1917. On return to duty his unit was sent to Belgian Flanders where Dunstan took part in the Battle of Messines in June and distinguished himself. He was recommended for a Military Cross but this was downgraded to a Mention in Despatches. He was attached to the 3rd Brigade after the battle, an artillery unit, for four days as Acting Regimental Medical Officer. He was involved in the Battle of Broodeseinde Ridge on the 4th October 1917. The 11FdAmb was earmarked to take part in the Battle of Passchendaele on the 12th October and Dunstan moved to the forward area to make medical arrangements for the coming battle.  While in the forward area, he received a gunshot wound to his abdomen on the 11th October. The bullet penetrating to his right thigh and he was evacuated to 3rd London General Hospital in England. Dunstan was invalided to Australia in January 1918 aboard the Dunluce Castle, transhipped to the Karoola at Cape Town in February. He disembarked at Melbourne on the 10th March and proceeded by rail to Adelaide where he was discharged from the AIF on the 5th October 1918. He was issued with the British War Medal and Victory Medal with Oak Leaves.

Dunstan worked in general practice in Renmark from 1919-1928 and then moved to Prospect where he remained until 1948 when he was admitted to the Repatriation Hospital. After a long illness Harold Frank Dunstan died on the 8th August 1953. He was survived by his wife and three sons; John of Melbourne, Dr Richard Dunstan of Grange and Dean Dunstan of Crafers. Another son, Thomas E, Dunstan was killed serving with the 2nd AIF in the Pacific.

DEATH OF
DR. DUNSTAN 
Dr. H. F. Dunstan died at Dawes Road Hospital this morning after a long illness. He was 63. Dr. Dunstan, who practised at Main North road, Prospect, for many years, had been in the hospital for about five years. He was a veteran of World War I.  Dr. Dunstan, who served in the first world war and was badly wounded, was well known in Renmark. He practised there from 1919 until 1928 when he moved to Prospect where he remained until he went to the Repatriation General Hospital about five years ago. He is survived by three sons, Mr. John Dunstan, manager of British Tube Mills in Melbourne; Dr. R. E. Dunstan, of Grange; and Mr. Dean Dunstan, of Crafers. Another son, Mr. Thomas E. Dunstan, was killed while serving with the AIF in the Pacific in 1945.