Category: Military
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment or Ship: 11th Bn Royal Sussex Regiment
Service Number(s): SD/1026
Occupation: Painter and Decorator
Date of Birth: 1889
Place of Birth: St. Andrews, Hastings, Sussex
Date of Death: 12.03.1916
Place of Death: France
Place of Burial / Memorials:
Rue-David Military Cemetary, Fleurbaix (I.D.6)
Address: 11 Salisbury Road, Bexhill on Sea
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents: Walter Dunk, b. Hastings in 1858, and Julia A. Dunk, b. 1867 in Hastings. Walter was employed as a House Decorator.
Siblings:
Herbert Walter Dunk, b. 1890 in Hastings. W0303 DUNK Herbert Walter.
Graham H. Dunk, b. 1891 in Hastings.
Florence May Dunk, b. 1893 in Hastings.
David married Edith E. Ellis in the Battle area in 1912 and they lived with her parents at 11 Salisbury Road until his death in 1916.
First World War Experience
With a lot of other soldiers in the First World War David’s Service Records did not survive the bombing of WW2. We do know that he enlisted before October 1914 when he joined the 9th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment – transferring to the 11th sometime before 1916.
The following article appeared in one of the local newspapers on 25th March 1916:-
We are very sorry to hear of the first casualty of a Bexhill Southdown. Private D. Dunk, 11th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, husband of Mrs Dunk, of 11 Salisbury Road, was killed in action on March 12th. In a letter to Mrs Dunk, Captain Grisewood says:-
“I deeply regret to have to break some very sad and painful news to you. Your husband, No. 1026 Private D. Dunk, was killed in action on the night of March 12th. Death was instantaneous as he was shot through the head, and so suffered no pain.
His death is not only a loss to me, but he is mourned for by all his comrades in the Company. He is buried in a little graveyard just behind the Bring line. The place will be duly notified to you, but in the meantime every care is being taken of it. I know I can fully sympathise with your feelings at your loss, but recollect that his was the best death a man could have and you need never be ashamed of your husband, having died doing his duty like a man.
I should only be too pleased to give you any further details, and if you let me know I will help you in any way you can think of.”
David was clearly promoted in rank to Lance Corporal after his death as a further notice in 1918 gave his rank as such.
David was awarded both the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.