Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of William James Dunstan and Ann Grigg Dunstan nee Matthews of William Street, Eaglehawk, Victoria. Brother of Oliver and Lily who died as infants

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Also served in the Citizen Military Forces

Stanley Oliver Dunston, known as ‘Stan’, was born in Eaglehawk, the son of William James & Ann Grigg Dunstan, of Willan St., Eaglehawk.    He was a Farrier, and had been apprenticed to his father for 4½ years.   He lived in Hagar-street, Eaglehawk, and was 20 years old.   He had previously served in the Senior Cadets and was currently serving in 67th Infantry, holding the rank of corporal.   He was amongst the early volunteers for the Expeditionary Force, enlisting on 18.8.14.   The following day he left Bendigo for the Broadmeadows Camp.   He was allotted Service no. 758 and appointed to ‘G’ Company, 7th Battalion, as Corporal.    While at Broadmeadows he filled the duties of L/Sergeant   

Prior to Embarkation he was Entertained by members of the Refuge Tent, I.O.R. Eaglehawk and presented with a Siver-mounted wallet.   He was also Presented with a memento by the Borough of Eaglehawk (Pocket wallet, wristlet watch, or shaving outfit).   

The 7th Battalion left Broadmeadows Camp on 18 October, 1914, and embarked for service overseas on board HMAT ‘Hororata’.   Arriving in Egypt the battalion moved into camp at Mena, at the foot of the pyramids.   (6/12/14)     

In January, 1915, the Australian force was re-organized.   In the 7th Battalion ‘G’ and ‘H’ Companies joined to form the new ‘D’ Company.      This meant that all the men from Northern Victoria were together in one Company.    After the re-organization ‘Stan’ Dunstan became Corporal of 14th Platoon, ‘D’ Company.   

The 7th Battalion was part of the force which landed at Anzac Cove on 25th April, 1915.   14th Platoon ‘D’ Company was one of the groups which went forward from the main body and were out past Lone Pine.  The platoon sustained a high number of casualties.    The advance line succeeded in keeping the Turks back on Third Ridge until late in the afternoon.   Retreating at last, they were overrun by the Turks.   Many of these men were later reported ‘Missing’.   

Stanley Oliver Dunstan was wounded in the arm about 4.30 pm, and was not seen again.   He was reported as “Missing”.   

Cpl. John Truesdale.  Letter: “It concerns Cpl Stan Dunstan and Privates Bill Stewart, Mancel Davies and Harry Stevens.   We were all together in the landing.   . . . .  We then got the order to advance, and we did.   Major Blezard and dozens of men went down.   Then Lieutenant E. Connelly gave the order to climb down the cliff in sections, and that’s where we all got separated, and got a rough time too.   Mancel, Stan and Bill must have swung round to the right.   This was about 8 o’clock in the morning of 25/4/15, and I have not seen nor heard of them since.   I have made inquiries everywhere, and have asked hundreds of returned wounded men, and nobody can tell me anything.”  [Bendigonian January 20, 1916]   

A Board of Inquiry was held in France on 5/6/16.   This determined: Stanley Oliver Dunstan “Previously reported Missing now reported Killed in Action”.     His body was never found and he has no known grave.       His name was recorded on the Lone Pine Memorial.   

“The First Lot.   7th Battalion.   The first men of the Bendigo district to volunteer for service in the First World War.”: Larna Malone