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Jack David Bunney

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Jack David Bunney
Bunney Jack David 1.jpg
Ancestry
Bunney Jack David.jpg
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
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates 2 Jun 1945 ‒ 8 Jun 1945
Transport Details USS General Anderson (AP - 111) Townsville to Morotai
Transfers
Journey Dates 21 Jun 1945 ‒ 23 Jun 1945
Transport Details HMAS Manoora Morotai to Balikpapan
Return to Australia
Journey Dates 2 Feb 1946 ‒ 13 Feb 1946
Transport Details SS Winchester Victory Makassar to Brisbane
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



Pre War

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. He was treated by the 2/13th Australian Field Ambulance's 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 there on 2 Mar 1943 before 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). Jack was confirmed as a Sergeant on 22 Oct 1943 in time for him to attend an Amphibious 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.


Appointed Lieutenant on 27 Feb 1944 while a member of the Reinforcements Pool, Jack was granted home leave before being and sent on 14 Apr 1944 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. During his time with the 2/16th Battalion, Jack served as Platoon Commander 15 Platoon, C Company, and for a time in the Battalion HQ.


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. Jack made application for the 1945-75 AUstralian Service Medal in June 1997 while living at 22 Coolibah avenue, mandurah.

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