Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Patrick, the son of  Margaret Griffin and John Dundon, was born at Glenelg on 4 June 1923.  Before enlisting he was employed as a junior salesman for Golling & Co. Pty. Ltd., wine and spirits merchants, of 7 Gawler Place, Adelaide.

            18 year Patrick enlisted in 13/33 Infantry Battalion on 9 October 1941 and was called up to commence full time duties on 21 January 1942. A week later he was attached to 26 Anti Aircraft Battery for duty at Whyalla. On Hummocks Hill the anti-aircraft battery of four guns, a command post, and a signals post, was manned by the 26th Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery from February 1942 to August 1944, to protect the BHP loading jetty and shipbuilding yards against possible Japanese air and/or naval attack. Throughout 1942 Patrick was promoted several times  to Lance Bombardier and finally Temporary Lance Sergeant. In September of 1942 Patrick was attached to the School of Artillery (Bofors) in Sydney.

            On 16 March 1943 Patrick transferred to the Australian Imperial Forces. After attending a Gas Course at Keswick he was transferred to 410 Australian Heavy Anti Aircraft Troop and subsequently to Coastal Artillery at Largs Bay. In early 1944 Patrick transferred to 408 Heavy Anti Aircraft Troop where his rank reverted to Bombardier. In January 1945 Patrick joined 19 Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery in New South Wales. After 4 months he transferred to 41/2 Australian Infantry Battalion AIF before being discharged at Wayville on 2 July 1945.

            Patrick married  Carmel Isobel Crowe in St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral on 13 November 1948. They had six children: John, Helen, Dianna, David, Elizabeth and Catherine. Patrick died on 12 February 2001 and Carmel on 22 June 2007. They are buried in the Brighton General Cemetery, Caufield South, Victoria.