Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”

Died on this date –  21st February … Charles Hamilton Dunning was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England on 9th November, 1892 to parents William Jones Hopwood Dunning & Jane Dunning (nee Solly).

According to information provided by his father for the Roll of Honour – Charles left England for Australia in August, 1908. (Note: he is listed on the 1911 England Census)

The 1914, 1915 & 1917 Australian Electoral Rolls for the division of Wimmera, subdivision of Beulah, Victoria, recorded Charles Hamilton Dunning, Law Clerk, from Beulah.

On 20th August, 1914 Charles Hamilton Dunning enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) as a 23 year old, single, Clerk from 104 Powlett Street, East Melbourne, Victoria.

Gunner Charles Hamilton Dunning, Service number 1271, embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Shropshire (A9) on 20th October, 1914 with the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade – No. 6 Battery.

He joined M.E.F (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force) on 8th April, 1915.

On 9th August, 1915 Gunner Dunning was transferred to Convalescent Camp at Mustapha due to Diarrhoea from 6th Battery Details. (Note: The Statement of Service form recorded according to Chaplain Green’s report dated 24th July, 1915 that Gunner Dunning’s condition at No. 17 General Hospital was improving – Dysentery.) He embarked from Alexandria on 30th August, 1915 for Gallipoli Peninsula on H.T.  Karos & rejoined his Unit at Anzac on 9th September, 1915. Gunner Dunning was transferred to Rest Camp at Lemnos on 15th September, 1915 & rejoined his Unit at Gallipoli Peninsula on 6th October, 1915.

Gunner Dunning was admitted to No. 1 Auxiliary Hospital at Cairo on 11th December, 1915 with Jaundice then transferred the same day to 1st Australian General Hospital at Cairo. He was discharged to Overseas Base on 28th December, 1915.

On 20th January, 1916 Gunner Dunning was transferred to Intermediate Base at Cairo as Guard.

He was marched in to Australian Details at Zeitoun on 28th March, 1916.

Gunner Dunning proceeded from Tel-el-Kebir on 1st May, 1916 to join 5th Divisional Artillery at Moascar. He was taken on strength of 14th F.A.B. (Field Artillery Brigade) & was posted to 54th Battery from 6th Battery at Ferry Post on 1st May, 1916.

On 20th June, 1916 Gunner Dunning proceeded from Alexandria on HMT Huntsend to join B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) & disembarked at Marseilles, France on 30th June, 1916.

He proceeded to England on 30th December, 1916 on Leave & rejoined 14th F.A.B. on 17th January, 1917 from Leave.

Gunner Charles Hamilton Dunning was re-allotted a Regimental number on 1271A (This usually occurred when there was a duplication on service numbers)

On 31st July, 1917 Gunner Charles Hamilton Dunning was wounded in action. He was admitted to 2/1 Wessex Field Ambulance on 31st July, 1917 with shrapnel wound/s to right Knee & was transferred to Casualty Clearing Station. Gunner Dunning was admitted to 3rd Canadian General Hospital at Boulogne, France on 1st August, 1917 with G.S.W. (gunshot wound/s) to right Knee. He was marked for transfer to England on 2nd August, 1917 & embarked on 4th August, 1917 on Hospital Ship St David with Shrapnel wound/s to Thigh (as listed on Casualty Form – Active Service).

He was admitted to Barnet War Hospital, England on 4th August, 1917 with G.S.W. to right Knee. Gunner Dunning was transferred to No. 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield Park, Middlesex on 28th September, 1917 with G.S.W to right Thigh (as listed on Hospital Admissions form “Thro & thro wound back of lower 1/3 R thigh – healed”). Gunner Dunning was discharged to Furlo from 5th October, 1917 to 19th October, 1917 & was then to report to Depot.

Gunner Dunning was marched in to No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, Dorset on 19th October, 1917. He was marched out to No. 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny, Wiltshire on 22nd October, 1917 & medically classified as B1A1 (fit for light duty only for 4 weeks) on 23rd October, 1917 at No. 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, Wiltshire. Gunner Dunning was re-classified as B1A2 (fit for Overseas Training Camp in 3 – 4 weeks) on 14th November, 1917.

From 30th November, 1917 Gunner Dunning was attached for duty to Australian Army Pay Corps in London from No. 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny.

He was sent sick to Holborn Military Hospital, Western Road, Mitcham, London on 7th December, 1917 & was admitted later having been diagnosed as C.S.M. (Cerebro Spinal Meningitis) Carrier. Gunner Dunning rejoined A.A. Pay Corps in London on 19th December, 1917 from Hospital (after “2 negative cultures obtained”).

Gunner Dunning was sent sick to 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield on 10th April, 1918. He was admitted the same day with Otitis Media & was discharged to duty on 12th April, 1918. Gunner Dunning rejoined Pay Corps in London on 12th April, 1918.

On 9th May, 1918 Gunner Dunning was sent sick to Southall Hospital & was admitted the same day to 2nd Auxiliary Hospital, Southall, England – cause N.Y.D. (not yet determined).  The Hospital Admissions form recorded “Complains of constant headaches past 4/12. Heart no diln or arrythmia. Chest clear. …” Gunner Dunning was discharged to duty on 8th June, 1918 & rejoined Australian Pay Corps on the same day.

He was sent sick to Southall Hospital (2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Southall) on 17th July, 1918. He was admitted to 2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Southall – cause N.Y.D. & was reported to be dangerously ill (uraemic) on 18th July, 1918.

A Medical Report was completed on Gunner Charles Hamilton Dunning (former occupation Law Clerk) on 4th August, 1918 at No. 2 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Southall. His disability was listed as Nephritis which had originated on 18th July, 1918 in England. Patient “was admitted in an unconscious condition suffering from uraemic convulsions. Lumbar puncture was performed. Under treatment his condition was greatly improved. Urine still shows a heavy cloud of albumin.” The Officer in charge of the Medical Case stated that the disability was attributable or aggravated by service during the present war & that Gunner Dunning should have a change to Australia (he did not recommend that he discharged as permanently unfit). The Medical Board found  on 6th August, 1918 that Gunner Charles Hamilton Dunning was permanently unfit for General Service & permanently unfit for Home Service.

On 2nd December, 1918 Gunner Dunning was reported to be Convalescent.

He was detached from attached duty with Australian Army Pay Corps on 20th January, 1919 & was “marched out” pending Return to Australia.

On 26th January, 1919 Gunner Dunning was reported to be seriously ill with Nephritis at 2nd Auxiliary Hospital, Southall, England. He was transferred to Fazakerley Military Hospital, Liverpool, England on 4th February, 1919.

Gunner Charles Hamilton Dunning died at 9.45 pm on 21st February, 1919 at Westminster Rd Auxiliary Hospital, Liverpool, England from Nephritis. A Telegram was sent from Fazakerley Hospital, Liverpool to “AdminAust London” advising that 1271 Gunner C. Dunning had died & “brother present at Death…. Next of kin mother 34 Stalmine St Liverpool who desires Military Funeral at Liverpool….”

He was buried in Anfield Park Cemetery, Liverpool, Lancashire, England & is included on family headstone. His death is still acknowledged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/anfield.html