A memorial to Ballarat’s First World War legend William Dunstan has been opened on Sturt Street.
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The Avenue of Honour statue and plaque pays tribute to the man, who won a Victoria Cross, the highest honour for someone in the Australian military.
Born in 1895, Dunstan enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in June, 1915.
He was sent to Gallipoli with the 7th Battalion AIF, where as a reinforcement he fought at the battle of Lone Pine.
Dunstan was part of a group of soldiers defending a newly captured trench when the Turks made a determined counter-attack on August 9, 1915.
With Lieutenant Frederick Tubb, Corporal Burton, and six others, he kept firing over the parapet when a large explosion blew down the barricade,
Dunstan and Burton started to rebuild it, while Tubb kept the enemy at bay.
Before the work was complete a bomb burst between the men, killing Burton and temporarily blinding Dunstan.
Because of his injuries Dunstan was invalided to Australia and discharged in February 1916.
He rejoined the militia, serving in various ranks until he retired as a lieutenant in 1928.
Dunstan’s Victoria Cross was presented Governor-General on the steps of Parliament House, Melbourne on June 10, 1916.
His niece Nan McCallum attended the official unveiling of the memorial.
The 96-year-old said her uncle carried the wounds he from Lone Pine until his death.
“He was blind because a grenade he threw back exploded near him,” she said.
“There were still shards of shrapnel in his brain when he died.
“He was a nice uncle, and he was always very nice to me.”
The ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries including Ballarat RSL senior vice-president Alan Douglas.
Australian Defence Force members Adjutant Captain Samuel Beverley and Regimental Sergeant Major Warrant Officer, Class 1, Barry Fawcett were also there.
Mr Douglas said the memorial would pay tribute to men from Ballarat who signed up when war started.
“It is very important because when war broke out there were so many volunteers from Ballarat,” he said.
“Butchers, bakers, fireman, policeman, public servants left a big hole in the community.”
The memorial was officially unveiled by Ballarat mayor Samantha McIntosh and Wendouree MP Sharon Knight.
