Historical information

Item in the collection of George Wheeler Life Member Bendigo RSL, refer Cat No 8263 for his RSL and Service history. The association between Wheeler and Dunstan is at this point unknown.

Re Dunstan No 2162 and the Matchbox holder. John Sickler Dunstan enlisted on 23.7.1915 in the 4th reinforcements 21st Bn, embark for Eygpt 27.9.1915, embark for France 26.3.1916. For a period he acted as escort for General Birdwood from 7.4.1916, transfer to 1st ANZAC HQ, hospital with Gastritis 13.1.1917, attached to 3 Sqd RFC 8.3.1917, rejoin unit 13.5.1917, promoted to Sgt 23.6.1917, detached for duty with 4th Field Survey Coy RE 1.3.1918, rejoin unit 16.3.1918. Married in England 12.7.1919, embark for Australia 12.5.1920, discharged from the AIF 11.8.1920. He was awarded a Croix De Guerre on 14.7.1919. At a point in his records when with 1st ANZAC HQ he was in the Topographical Section.

Physical description

Trench Art, Matchbox Holder, brass engraved on three sides.

Inscriptions & markings

Side i, " 2162 - Pte. J. S. Dunstan - 1 ANZAC CORPS"
Side 2, "Engraved image of the Rising Sun badge".
Side 3, Somme 1916/17"