Jack David Bunney

Jack David Bunney

Ancestry
Personal Information
Date of Birth	19 Dec 1921
Place of Birth	Victoria Park, Western Australia
Death	31 Mar 2013
Place of Death	Mandurah, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	19 years old
Occupation	Shop assistant
Religion	Prebyterian
Address	Byford, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr David Bunney
Military Information
Reg Number	W8855 & WX29884
Date of Enlistment	16 Dec 1940
Rank	Lieutenant
Unit/Formation	2/16th Australian Infantry Battalion
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia
Monument(s)	ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford)
Medals	1939-45 Star Pacific Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1945-75

War Service

Jack enlisted in the CMF on 16 Dec 1940 on a part time basis, and on 17 Jul 1941 he attended a basic training camp at Melville with the 16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment). On 1 Sep 1971 he was appointed as a Lance Corporal and on 1 Oct 1941 he was called up for full time duty. On 26 Nov 1941 Jack was promoted to Acting Corporal. Jack changed his enlistment to the 2nd AIF on 15 Jul 1942. Jack was treated by the 13th Field Ambulance' Main Dressing Station from 15 - 27 Aug 1942 before being transferred to Officer Training School on 18 Sep 1941 where he successfully attended a course for Potential Officers. On 26 Feb 1943 Jack and the battalion entrained for South Australia, arriving ther on 2 Mar 1943 be3fore again entraining on 19 Mar 1943, this time for Darwin.

His rank of Corporal was confirmed on 17 Aug 1943, although he was already an acting Sergeant from 21 Jul 1943. This rank was confirmed on 22 Oct 1943 in time for him to attend an Amphibian Training Course from 7 - 11 Nov 1943. On 19 Nov 1943 he left the battalion to undertake Course No 8 at the Officer Cadet Training Unit where on 26 Feb 1944 he was discharged as an enlisted man in order to become a Commissioned Officer.

He attended a 3 inch Mortar School course run by the 7th Australian Infantry Division.

Appointed Lieutenant on 27 Feb 1944 while a member of the Reinforcments pool, and sent to Australian Reinforcement Training Battalion (Jungle Warfare) at Canungra to prepare for service overseas. On 11 Mar 1944, while on leave, Jack married May Winsome Napier in Wesley Church, Perth. On 2 Oct 1944 Jack was posted to the 2/16th Australian Infantry Battalion, and he joined them on 7 October. From 4 - 24 Apr 1945 Jack attended a 3 inch Mortar School course run by the 7th Australian Infantry Division after which he rejoined his unit in Darwin.

On 2 Jun 1945 in Townsville, Jack embarked on USS General Anderson (AP - 111) for Morotai where he disembarked on 8 Jun 1945. On 21 Jun 1945 at Morotai Jack embarked on HMAS Manoora for Balikpapan in Dutch Borneo. There on 10 Sep 1945 Jack was evacuated to the 2/6th Australian Field Ambulance before being released to duty on 19 Sep 1945. In mid-October 1945 the battalion was sent as part of the occupying force to Macassar on Sulawesi Island.

Hostilities and occupation duties completed, on 2 Feb 1946, Jack along with the rest of his unit embarked on SS Winchester Victory at Macassar, arriving back in Brisbane where he disembarked on 13 Feb 1946. He was then sent to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot where he was discharged on 7 Mar 1946.

Post War

Daughter Pauline Winsome Bunney born 18 Jun 1950 at Goomalling, died 1968. Two sons (Glen Raymond & ??) and another daughter, Kaye Lynette.

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at 125 Railway road, Subiaco, shop assistant; 1954 Dowerin, bookkeeper; 1958 - 1963 Wyalkatchem, accountant; 1972 - 1980 Mukinbudin, salesman