11. William Dunstan - Victoria Cross Memorial 1995 Polished granite, greystone

William Dunstan Memorial
The memorial to William Dunstan, Ballarat's Victoria Cross winner, was erected in 1995 in the median strip in Sturt Street between Dawson and Drummond Streets as part of the federally funded 'Australia Remembers' project which marked the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. It is a pink marble and greystone pillar with the Australian Imperial Force crest on the east and a metal plaque on the western side which tells the story.

IN HONOUR OF WILLIAM DUNSTAN, VC, 1895 -1957.

William Dunstan was born in Ballarat and educated at Golden Point State School. Shortly after the outbreak of the First World War 19 year old Dunstan enlisted in the 7th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division of the Australian Imperial Forces. Within 3 weeks he was posted to Gallipoli and was immediately embroiled in the Battle of Lone Pine.

Early on the morning of 9th August, 1915, Dunstan and 10 other men were defending a trench captured from the Turks. The enemy launched repeated counter attacks and suffered heavy casualties. Only 3 surviving Australians remained and were rebuilding the blown-up barricade of sandbags when the Turks launched a final, vicious assault to regain the trench.

Struggling to defend their position, the three Australians resorted to catching the Turkish hand bombs and throwing them back at the enemy or smothering those that landed with Turkish great-coats. Hand bombs killed a 10th defender and wounded both Dunstan and his only remaining companion. Again the Turks were driven back and this time the two wounded Australians were left alone until later relieved and hospitalised.

As a result of the intensity of the fighting and the tenacity of the 3 defenders, each was awarded Victoria Crosses for their most conspicuous bravery. Following the War, Dunstan enjoyed a successful career to become managing director of the Herald and Weekly Times. He died in Melbourne aged 62 and is remembered with respect by the citizens of Ballarat.