Bunbury, Montray Frederick

No.7219 – Private Montray Frederick Bunbury –

11^th Battalion AIF

Montray Frederick Richardson Bunbury was born in Busselton WA in 1873. He grew up in the metropolitan area and went to Perth High School. He later went on the land to become a miner, prospector and later a farmer. In 1896 he married Mary Vines in Busselton. Montray was aged 43 years old and living in High Street Fremantle when he enlisted into the AIF on the 18^th of November 1916. His next of kin was his brother, Edward, who lived in Busselton.

At the Fremantle recruitment office, Montray was given a medical examination and was found to be 5 feet 10 inches in height; weight of 164 lbs; chest measurement of 34-37 inches; fresh complexion; brown eyes and grey hair. His religious denomination was Church of England.

Montray initially went to No.94 Depot where he stayed until the 29^th December 1916. On the 30^th December he was attached to the 24^th Reinforcements to the 11^th Battalion with the regimental no.7219. He only had a few more weeks training in WA with this group as they embarked from Fremantle on the 29^th January 1917 aboard the H.M.A.T. “Miltiades”.

During the latter half of the voyage as the ship was nearing England, Montray was admitted ill to the Ships hospital and on the 19^th March 1917 he died, the official cause being Cerebro Spinal Meningitis. Pte Montray Bunbury was given a burial at sea and therefore has no grave. He is therefore commemorated on the Hollybrook Memorial in Southampton England.

Ships Hospital Register