DUNBAR, Alfred Edward
| Service Number: | NX16216 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 21 May 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/17th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Glenn Innes, New South Wales, Australia, 18 September 1915 |
| Home Town: | Manly, Manly Vale, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Milk Carter |
| Died: | Narraweena, New South Wales, Australia, 5 August 2000, aged 84 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 21 May 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Lieutenant, NX16216, 2nd/17th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 May 1940: | Enlisted Private, NX16216, 2nd/17th Infantry Battalion | |
| 22 Nov 1940: | Promoted Lance Corporal, 2nd/17th Infantry Battalion | |
| 17 Apr 1941: | Promoted Corporal, 2nd/17th Infantry Battalion | |
| 14 Jun 1941: | Honoured Military Medal, Siege of Tobruk, For his actions during the Easter Battle at Tobruk on 11-14 April. | |
| 24 Oct 1942: | Promoted Lieutenant, 2nd/17th Infantry Battalion | |
| 31 Oct 1945: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Lieutenant, NX16216, 2nd/17th Infantry Battalion | |
| 31 Oct 1945: | Discharged Lieutenant, NX16216, 2nd/17th Infantry Battalion | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement Lieutenant, NX16216, 2nd/17th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Jeffrey Crisdale
MILITARY MEDAL CITATION for NX16216 L/Cpl Alfred Edward DUNBAR, 2nd/17th Infantry Battalion, A.I.F., during the Tobruk Easter Battle.
"I recommend the award of the Military Medal to this NCO.
At about 1800 hours on the 11 Apr, when the enemy first attacked L/Cpl Dunbar was in command of a section of reinforcements who had only just joined the unit. They were very nervous and did not at first expose themselves sufficiently to engage the enemy with fire. L/Cpl Dunbar himself manned the machine gun and engaged the enemy alone. As a result of this example, all the men attached to him were very soon engaging the enemy with great determination. On the afternoon of the 13 April, at about 1800 hrs under heavy enemy small arms fire, L/Cpl Dunbar left Post 33, and proceeded to Coy HQ at Post 32, a distance of some 500 yards, being exposed to the enemy the whole time with the information that the enemy were attacking his platoon post. Having given the information he returned to Post 33, still under heavy fire, and resumed command of his section.
On the early morning of the 14 April, L/Cpl Dunbar again manned the machine gun, and supported by the rifle fire of his section who were engaging the infantry, knocked out six enemy machine guns.
These reinforcements were led and inspired by L/Cpl Dundbar in such a manner as to make their efforts invaluable to their Post. His excellent shooting, and his willingness to take risks, enabled the platoon to engage the infantry with a far greater degree of safety than had been the case before he silenced the enemy machine guns which had been considerably harassing the Post. His coolness and determination to win are worthy of the highest praise."
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