Sylvester Ambrose Dunne

DUNNE, Sylvester Ambrose- – – – SPC 1909-1910

DoB:- – 12 April 1897, North Melbourne

Father:– – Ambrose Augustine Dunne

Mother:- – Elizabeth Josephine, nee Young

Sylvester Dunne was a boarder for two years at St Patrick’s College, in the Fifth and Sixth Classes. In 1911 he had transferred to CBC (Christian Brothers College) in East St Kilda to complete his senior schooling.

Service No: – 2154

Rank:– – Private

Unit:– – 21st Battalion, A Company

Sylvester Dunne enlisted on 9 July 1915 at Melbourne. He was aged 18 and as such had to have written permission from both his parents to join up. He was five feet nine and a half inches tall, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and fair hair.

He embarked on 26 September 1915 aboard the Tunisan, and went via Alexandria, Egypt to Marseille where he arrived on 5 June 1916. He marched in the following day to Etaples, France, and over the next several months saw service in Etaples, Havre, Camier, Rouen and Boulogne. On 5 May 1917 Private Dunne was wounded in action at Ballencourt, France. He received a gunshot wound to the head and wrist. He was admitted to the 3rd CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) and spent five weeks in Rouen Military Hospital. He rejoined his battalion in France on 9th June because -‘they were hard pressed, and every man counted’.

After two months furlough in England between December 1917 and January 1918, he rejoined his unit in Belgium. He was again wounded in action on 19 May 1918 at Ville sur L’Ancre, receiving a gunshot wound in his left buttock. He died of his wounds on the same day.

Private Sylvester Dunne was initially interred at Heilly-sur-Somme, Military Cemetery, France, but was later re-buried at Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France around 18 June 1920.

His effects were returned to his mother, Mrs Elizabeth Dunne, in Traralgon, Victoria. These included his fountain pen, stud, cablegram, wallet, photos, cards, disc, four unit colours, four religious medallions, silver coin, letters and his prayer book.

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