Herbert Bunney

Herbert Bunney

Personal Information
Date of Birth	16 Dec 1922
Place of Birth	Cardup road, Byford, Western Australia
Death	8 Dec 1990, aged 66
Place of Death	Byford, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	19 years, 8 months
Description	5'5" (1.65m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair
Occupation	brickmaker
Religion	Presbyterian
Address	Byford, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr David Joseph Bunney
Military Information
Reg Number	WX29878 & W8854
Date of Enlistment	15 Jul 1942
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlander's Regiment)
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	21 Nov 1944 ‒ 26 Nov 1944
Transport Details	USAT Evangaline Darwin to Jacquinot Bay, New Britain.
Return to Australia
Journey Dates	9 Feb 1946 ‒ 14 Feb 1946
Transport Details	SS Lidvard Rabaul, New Britain to Brisbane
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia
Monument(s)	ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) Listed in random order
Medals	1939-45 Star Pacific Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

War Service

Herbert joined the CMF's 16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlander's Regiment) on 16 Feb 1940 and was called up for full time duty on 16 Dec 1941. He had been appointed as a cook on 5 Aug 1941 following a training course at No. 3 Depot Melville. On 15 Jul 1942 he transferred to the 2nd AIF. In January 1943 he was again sent on a course for cooking staff, with his records noted that he required strict supervision.

On 26 Feb 1943 the battalion departed Western Australia for South Australia and then Darwin where they arrived on 23 Mar 1943. He was AWOL from 10:00am on 15 Feb 1943 until 7:00pm on 19 Feb 1943. Punishment not recorded. On 19 Apr 1943 he was evacuated to the 119th Australian General Hospital in Adelaide River with Osteitis Externa, rejoining his unit five days later. In January 1944 he attend a four day aircraft recognition course and on 20 Aug 1944 he was granted Proficiency Pay.

On 21 Nov 1944 the battalion boarded the USAT Evangaline for New Britain where they arrived on the 26th. From 1 Sep 1945 he was paid as a Lance Corporal, before on 9 Feb 1946 with the disbandment of the 16th Battalion, he was posted to the 37/52 Battalion. On 9 Feb 1946 he embarked on the SS Lidvard in Rabaul for Brisbane where they arrived on 14 Feb 1946. He arrived in Western Australia on 1 Mar 1946 and for a short time was transferred to the WA Fixed Defences unit. Herbert was AWOL from 1:30am on 29 Apr until 10:30am on 1 May 1946. Admonished by his CO he forfeited two day's pay. Herbert was discharged on 24 May 1946.

Post War

Herbert married Lorna Patricia Rubery during 1952. Kenneth Charles and Phillip David are sons?

Electoral Roll entries: 1968 - 1980 at 23 Blytheswood avenue, Byford, labourer.