Dunning, Albert Thomas

Albert Thomas Dunning - Royal Australian Naval Reserve WW1 - & Royal Australian Air Force WW2

Albert Thomas Dunning was born in North Fremantle on the 20th September 1900 to William and Eva Dunning.

Albert was one of 15 siblings, all of whom were born in North Fremantle: William (1897), Robert (1898), Elizabeth (1902), Eva (1904), Agnes (1905), Harry (1907), Charles (1908), Dorothy (1909), Rita (1909), George (1911), Margaret (1913), Percival (1914), David (1918) and Daisy (1922).

Albert was educated at North Fremantle primary school and the family lived at John Street North Fremantle. He then started a boot making apprenticeship with H Prince in Fremantle.

Two brothers served in War, Robert who changed his name to James Dunn to enlist and William who served in the 86th Infantry of the Citizens Military Forces in WA.

Albert was too young to enlist into the Australian Imperial Force prior to 1918 so signed up to the Royal Australian navy instead as you could be 15 and be able to serve in the Navy.

His navy records are unfortunately non-existent so it's hard to know the extent of Albert's service except that he was discharged in 1919 with the rank of Leading Signalman and had the service number 572.

Once the war was over Albert returned to his trade of boot making and he continued in this field up to the time he began work as a Driver for the WA Tramways.

He married Dorothy Gladys Shaw in 1923 and they had children in Eric (1926), Dorothy (1930) and Coral (1937). Prior to WW2 they were living at McMillan Street Victoria Park.

On the 19th February 1942 Albert enlisted into the Royal Australian Air Force. He was assigned the service number 46499. He was a Leading Aircraftsman (LAC)/Fitter and served from February 1942 to October 1945. His service was mainly within WA but he also sent to NSW for a course of instruction.

Albert Thomas Dunning died on the 24th May 1947 and he was buried in Karrakatta Cemetery.