Contributed by Ron Inglis, October 2021:
Basil Benjamin James Hunter enlisted at Holsworthy on 25 August 1915. He declared his age as ’25 9/12’. A fitter, Hunter, was the son of Joseph and Martha Hunter of ‘Halston’, Sydney Road, Auburn.
Private Hunter embarked on the Mooltan on 11 December 1915, arriving in Egypt in January of the new year (this timing meant he was not eligible for the 1914-1915 Star). He was allocated to the Pioneer Battalion and he moved on with them to France in April 1916. Hunter was involved in the battles of Pozières and Mouquet Farm, until he was wounded in the eye.
Hunter died of self-inflicted wounds on 1 October 1916. He was buried on the coast of France in the Wimereux Communal Cemetery. For his gravestone, his parents chose the inscription: THE LORD GAVE AND THE LORD HATH TAKEN AWAY MY DEAR SON
Basil Hunter is honoured on the following memorials in Australia:
- Auburn War Memorial
- Municipality of Auburn 1914-1919 Honour Roll
- Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial Canberra
His decorations:
- British War Medal
- 1914-20 Victory Medal
