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Biographical Dictionary - Coorow, Carnamah, Three Springs


Surname

"Harry" Harold Frank DUNNING

Born 31 January 1895 in Saint Mary Extra, Hampshire, England [16] [20]
Son of nurseryman Frederick George DUNNING and Mary Jane PEARCE [20] [21]
     He was one of five children with an elder sister Olive and younger siblings Frederick, Walter and Ethel [20] [21]
     In 1901 was living with his parents, sister Olive and brother Frederick in Sholing, Hampshire, England [20]
     Later resided with his parents and siblings at 143 Bevois Valley Road in Southampton, Hampshire, England [20]
Labourer in England [203]
At the age of 19 departed London, England with his sister Olive and brother Frederick on the steamship Omrah on 27 March 1914 [203]
     They arrived on the steamship Omrah in Fremantle, Western Australia one month and one day later, on 28 April 1914 [70]
     In 1915 he was working as a Labourer and was residing at the Salvation Army Quarters in Narrogin, Western Australia [18]
He and his brother Frederick both enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 31 August 1915 at Blackboy Hill [30: item 2529064]
     On enlistment he was recorded as being 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds with hazel eyes and brown hair [30]
     Gave his sister Olive as his next of kin, her address also being the Salvation Army Quarters in Narrogin, Western Australia [30]
     After training at Blackboy Hill he was appointed on 1 November 1915 to the 7th Reinforcements of the 29th Battalion [30]
     Embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia for active service abroad on the H.M.A.T. Medic on 18 January 1916 [30]
     Disembarked from the Medic in Alexandria, Egypt on 16 February 1916 and arrived in France on 27 March 1916 [30]
     Private 3090 in the Australian Imperial Force's 28th Battalion in France during the First World War [30]
     During the war he was once hospitalised in France after being gassed [30]
     In 1918 changed his next of kin to his mother, her address being 143 Bevois Valley Road in Southampton, Hampshire, England [30]
Married Frances Emily Elizabeth DAMERELL on 15 May 1919 at the Parish Church in Southampton, Hampshire, England [30]
     He and his wife departed England on the ship Dunvegan Castle and arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia on 15 August 1919 [30]
     Discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 7 October 1919; received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal [30]
In 1920 his brother Walter left England for Western Australia, and in 1924 his parents and sister Ethel also immigrated [204]
Farmer in Carnamah 1921-1967 [1] [6] [19]
    Obtained farmland on the Carnamah Estate through the Soldier Settlement Scheme, and by 1921 was farming in Carnamah [6] [P34]
     Initially farmed in Carnamah in partnership with Thomas JOHNSTON - as "Johnston and Dunning" [44]
     Jointly they were the farmers of Dunston Park Farm in Carnamah on the south side of the North Boundary Road [44] [62]
     They were both Crown Lessees of the farm's 1,764 acres - the adjacent Victoria Locations 7182 and 7183 [44] [61]
     The farm was presumably named using 'Dun' from the start of Dunning and 'ston' from the end of Johnston [--]
     By 1932 they had dissolved their partnership, after which he was the sole owner of the 877 acre Victoria Location 7183 [3]
Sang a song at the farewell to departing railway stationmaster James J. STARLING in Carnamah on 18 June 1921 [9: 8-Jul-1921]
Member of the Carnamah Sub-Branch of the Returned Soldiers League - was Inaugural Secretary [5: 1-May-1936]
     He was a Committee Member in 1930, 1935 and 1936, and Vice President in 1934, 1936 and 1943-1945 [5: 19-Apr-1935, 20-Mar-1936] [52]
     Acting President of the Carnamah Sub-Branch of the R.S.L. from 20 April 1936 to 8 May 1936 [5: 15-May-1936] [52]
Signed the petition in February 1923 for the Irwin Licensing Court to grant a hotel license for Carnamah [10: 9-Mar-1923]
In 1925 requested the Carnamah District Road Board declare a new road between Prowaka Siding and The Gangway [9: 6-Mar-1925]
His younger brother Walter Reginald DUNNING was also living in Carnamah in 1925 [50]
Played in a football match in Carnamah between returned soldiers and others on 26 July 1925 and "played splendidly" [9: 7-Aug-1925]
Committee Member of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society in 1927 [9: 21-Oct-1927]
Attended the Carnamah Returned Solders League Smoke Social held at the Carnamah Town Hall in January 1928 [4: 14-Jan-1928]
Committee Member of the Carnamah Race Club 1928-1934 [4: 31-Mar-1928 & 21-Dec-1929] [5: 24-Nov-1933]
Member of the Carnamah Lodge of Manchester Unity Oddfellows Friendly Society 1927-1936 [4: 17-Mar-1928] [5: 23-Oct-1936] [9: 29-Jul-1927]
     District Grand Master of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows Friendly Society for the North Midlands in 1935 [5: 14-Oct-1932]
Attended the local farewell for Jack and Annie LYNCH at the home of Mr and Mrs R. W. CLARK on 6 April 1929 [4: 13-Apr-1929]
He was among those who attended the Centenary Ball held at the Carnamah Hall on 26 July 1929 [86: 3-Aug-1929]
     The ball was to celebrate 100 years since the founding of Perth and the establishment of the Swan River Colony [86]
Had an account with Carnamah blacksmith, wheelwright and motor mechanics Henry Parkin & Son from the 1920s to the 1940s [53]
Contributed a musical performance to the R.S.L. Social of returned "diggers" at the Carnamah Hall on 13 August 1930 [86: 16-Aug-1930]
Member of the Inering Cricket Club in 1930-31 [4: 22-Nov-1930]
Attended the funeral of "Father of Carnamah" Donald MACPHERSON at the Winchester Cemetery on 14 August 1931 [4: 22-Aug-1931]
Among those who made a donation to the Carnamah Country Women's Association in 1932 to help them buy premises [5: 29-Jul-1932]
Attended and rendered vocal items at the R.S.L. Smoke Social and Friends Night held in Carnamah on 27 August 1932 [5: 2-Sep-1932]
He was one of 77 ex-servicemen who attended the Sailors & Soldiers Reunion Dinner in Carnamah on 22 October 1932 [86: 29-Oct-1932]
Member of Carnamah's branch of the Wheatgrowers Union in 1933 [5: 1-Dec-1933]
The local newspaper revealed on 1 September 1933 that there was a parcel for him at the Carnamah railway station [5: 1-Sep-1933]
He was among those from Carnamah who attended the R.S.L. Reunion Dinner held in Morawa on 28 October 1933 [5: 3-Nov-1933]
Sang a song at the Carnamah Presbyterian Church's Fete and Concert in Carnamah on Thursday 2 November 1933 [5: 10-Nov-1933]
Attended the Annual R.S.L. General Meeting and Smoke Social in Carnamah on Thursday 8 March 1934 [5: 16-Mar-1934]
Attended the funeral of Mrs Christina B. D. FORRESTER of Carnamah at the Winchester Cemetery on 31 August 1934 [4: 8-Sep-1934]
Committee Member of the Carnamah Football Club in 1934 and 1935 [5: 20-Apr-1934, 19-Apr-1935]
     He and Edward HELLEWELL were appointed official collectors to collect subscriptions for the Club in 1936 [5: 8-May-1936]
     Delegate for the Carnamah Football Club at meetings of the North Midlands Football Association in 1937 [5: 9-Apr-1937]
     President, Committee Member, Delegate and Gate Collector of the Carnamah Football Club in 1937 [5: 16-Apr-1937]
To loud applause he sang the song "Because" at the Farewell held in Carnamah to Douglas WALDBY on 17 January 1935 [5: 8-Feb-1935]
Senior Officer of the North Midlands Manchester Unity of Oddfellows Friendly Society in 1935 [5: 8-Feb-1935]
Attended the R.S.L. Annual General Meeting and Smoke Social at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 6 April 1935 [5: 12 & 19-Apr-1935]
Assisted the committee of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society with their Annual Show on 12 September 1935 [5: 20-Sep-1935]
Attended the Fourth Annual North Midlands R.S.L. Reunion Dinner held in Three Springs on Saturday 19 October 1935 [5: 25-Oct-1935]
Member of the Carnamah Cricket Club in 1935-36 and 1936-37 - played for "Carnamah Blues" [5: 11-Oct-1935, 5-Feb-1937]
     In 1935-36 played for the "Carnamah Blues" and in 1936-37 played for the non-association "Carnamah B" team [5]
Attended the Annual Meeting & Smoke Social of the Carnamah Sub-Branch of the R.S.L. on Wednesday 11 March 1936 [5: 20-Mar-1936]
     He proposed the toast to "The Navy, Army and Air Force" and later in the evening was among those who tendered a vocal item [5]
Part of a deputation from the local R.S.L. that met with the Carnamah District Road Board on 18 March 1936 [5: 20-Mar-1936]
     They unsuccessfully requested the Road Board pay Charles J. DALLIMORE for work he'd done on the Carnamah Hospital [5]
     The Road Board wasn't legally obliged to pay for the work, but they felt that the Road Board had a moral obligation [5]
Attended the R.S.L. Social to farewell "Chitter" George F. BROWN at the Carnamah Hostel on Friday evening 24 April 1936 [5]
     During the evening he sang the soldier's song "The Deathless Army," which was well received by all present [5: 1-May-1936]
Presided over the reception for the R.S.L. State President and State Secretary at the Carnamah Hotel on 8 May 1936 [5: 15-May-1936]
Participated in the Old Stagers Bike Race at the Carnamah Football Club's Scratch Match in Carnamah on 28 June 1936 [5: 3-Jul-1936]
Came 3rd in the Carnamah Athletic Club's Hurry Scurry Bike Race in Carnamah on Sunday 4 October 1936 [5: 9-Oct-1936]
Attended the Fifth Annual North Midlands R.S.L. Reunion Dinner in Dongara on Saturday evening 24 October 1936 [5: 30-Oct-1936]
Impartially umpired the cricket match between Carnamah and Arrino in Carnamah on Sunday 22 November 1936 [5: 27-Nov-1936]
Committee Member of the Carnamah Athletic Club in 1937 [5: 19-Mar-1937]
Gave an elocutionary item at the Social for Cyril & Mavis RAYNER at the Church Hall in Carnamah on 1 April 1937 [5: 9-Apr-1937]
Gave "a unique exhibition in goals" when he played and was goal umpire at a football match in Coorow on 18 April 1937 [5: 23-Apr-1937]
Member of the Carnamah Coronation Celebrations Committee in 1937 [5: 30-Apr-1937]
     The festivities celebrated the coronation of King George VI of the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth on 12 May [5]
Made a hurried trip to Perth in late July 1937 after receiving word that his father was seriously ill [5: 30-Jul-1937]
     His father, of the Perth suburb of Cottesloe, passed away aged 73 on 28 July 1937 and was buried at the Karrakatta Cemetery [2]
     Sent apologies for being unable to attend the R.S.L. Valedictory for Charles A. METTAM in Carnamah on 28 July 1937 [5: 30-Jul-1937]
Gave a vocal item at the House Party at George & Kathleen F. CATTO's Piyowola Farm in Carnamah on 21 August 1937 [5: 27-Aug-1937]
Gatekeeper at the North Midlands Football Association 1937 semi-final between Three Springs and Coorow in Carnamah [5: 27-Aug-1937]
     The game didn't start until 4 p.m. when an umpire was found and 17 minutes in was abandoned when the oval flooded [5: 3-Sep-1937]
Gatekeeper from 7:30 a.m. onwards at the Carnamah District Agricultural Society's Annual Show on 9 September 1937 [5: 27-Aug-1937]
On 10 March 1938 telephoned the Carnamah Police Station to report that his 72 year old mother was missing [88]
     His mother had gone for a walk at 6 p.m. and had not returned; Constable PLUNKETT called together a large search party [88]
     At about 9 p.m. his mother was found at a neighbour's house, having wandered a number of miles [88]
Worked as a Linesman for P.M.G. in Carnamah 1939-1941 [0: image 04030] [88]
Casket carrier at the funeral of Carnamah doctor Cecil Phillip ROSENTHAL on 8 April 1939 at the Winchester Cemetery [5]
President of the Carnamah Football Club 1939-1945 [0: images 03839, 04007 & 04342]
Reported at the Carnamah Police Station at 9 a.m. on 2 January 1940 that 68 ewes and 62 lambs of his had been stolen [88]
     He reported the 130 sheep must have been stolen from his farm between 18 July 1939 and 25 August 1939 [88]
     He hadn't reported the sheep stolen earlier as a large part of his farm had been underwater and he presumed they had died [88]
     Then in December a pet sheep who had gone missing at the same time as the others re-appeared in a mob of his sheep [88]
     What made him believe the sheep had been stolen was the fact that the pet sheep had his brand on its back and someone else's [88]
     Constable WHITE of the Carnamah Police Station visited his farm and found dead bodies for over thirty of the missing sheep [88]
     The Constable believed the remainder had been washed away however failed to look into the additional brand on his pet sheep [88]
     After not taking the claim of theft seriously the Constable got his awakening when further farmers reported stolen sheep [88]
Member of the Carnamah Home Guard in 1941 [0: image 04048]
Delegate for the Carnamah Football Club at meetings of the North Midlands Football Association in 1941 [0: image 04007]
Member of the Carnamah Miniature Rifle Club 1942-1952 [0: images 04077, 04261 & 04654]
Lieutenant in the local Volunteer Defence Corps during the Second World War [16]
During 1944 helped arrange a number of dances in Carnamah to raise funds for the Red Cross Society [7: page 178]
Committee Member of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society 1945-1957 [58]
Vice President in 1947, Vice Patron in 1951 and later a Life Member of the Carnamah Football Club [0: images 04466 & 04607] [7: page 199]
In 1949 extended his farm by 312 acres with the purchase of part of neighbouring farmer Thomas JOHNSTON's farm [3]
The 312 acres was a Portion of Victoria Location 7182 and took his farm to a total of 1,189 acres [3]
Member of the Carnamah Small Bore Rifle Club in 1954 [0: image 04744]
Financial Member 1955-1958 and Vice Patron 1958-1967 of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society [13] [58]
Became a member of the Carnamah Masonic Lodge No.150 WAC on 21 August 1959 [96]
Farmer in Carnamah until his death in 1967 [1]
Father of Biddy and Dorothy [P4]
Died 19 September 1967 in Three Springs; buried at the Winchester Cemetery in Carnamah, Western Australia (Row S, Plot 7) [1]


Reference:  Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'Harold Frank Dunning' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 25 April 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/harold-frank-dunning [reference list]




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