Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Dunkley, a gas labourer, born 1854 in Towcester, Northamptonshire and his wife Sarah Jane Dunkley (nee Travil, married in the 4th quarter of 1891 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1868 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Joseph was born in 1896 in Melton Mowbray and was baptised on the 24th July 1896 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church, his siblings were, Russell Travil, born on the 23rd August 1889, William, born in the 3rd quarter of 1892 and Dorothy, born 1894, the latter three siblings were all born in Melton Mowbray and Benjamin, born 12th April 1900 in Northamptonshire, in March 1901 the family home was in Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 Joseph was employed as a shoe trade worker and was residing in the family home at 10, Timber Hill, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a general labourer, his mother and siblings, Russell, a general labourer, William, a Midland Railway labourer, Dorothy, a mill worker, Benjamin, a schoolboy, Ivy May, a schoolgirl, born 28th February 1903 and Frank, a schoolboy, born 6th February 1906, the latter two siblings were both born in Melton Mowbray. His older brother William fell in action in October 1917. On the 26th December 1914 in St. Mary’s Church, Melton Mowbray, Joseph married Mary Ann Elizabeth Pearce, who was born on the 13th July 1896 in Melton Mowbray. Their daughter Gwendoline Daisy was born on the 24th June 1915 in the Melton Mowbray. In the 2nd quarter of 1920 in the Melton Mowbray district, Joseph’s widow married William H. Clapton, born 7th December 1892. In the 3rd quarter of 1934 in the Melton Mowbray district, Gwendoline married Harry Cox, born 15th August 1914.
Joseph attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 4th December 1915 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his full address as 49, Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray, his age as 19 years and 345 days and his trade or calling as yarn turner. He confirmed that he was married. He gave his wife Mary Ann Elizabeth Dunkley of 49, Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray as his next of kin. He gave his religion as Primitive Methodist. His medical examination that took place on the 4th December 1915 in Melton Mowbray and recorded that he was 5 foot 9 inches in height, weighed 142 pounds, had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches and his physical development was described as good. After attestation on the 4/12/15 in Melton Mowbray he was transferred as Private, service number 88942 to the Army Reserve on the 5/12/15. Mobilized on the 29/5/16. Posted as Gunner to the No.4 Depot Royal Garrison Artillery, Great Yarmouth on the 29/5/16. Joined No.4 Depot, Royal Garrison Artillery at Great Yarmouth on the 30/5/16. Admitted to the Military Hospital, Great Yarmouth suffering from influenza on the 7/6/16. Discharged from hospital on the 12/6/16. Transferred to 47th Company, Royal Garrison Artillery on the 24/6/16. Posted to 196th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery on the 4/7/16. Embarked from Devonport to join the Expeditionary Force in Salonica on the 12/1/17. Disembarked in Salonika on the 29/1/17. Admitted to 2/3rd Northumbrian Field Ambulance, Salonica dangerously ill with broncho pneumonia, on the 12/11/18. Died of broncho pneumonia in the 2/3rd Northumbrian Field Ambulance, Salonica on the 20/11/18. Buried in Guveyne Military Cemetery, Greece, about 15 miles Nort, North East of Salonica. Body exhumed and buried in Mikra British Cemetery on Eastern shore of Gulf, 5 miles South of Salonika. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 4/12/15 – 11/1/17, 1 year 39 days. Salonica Expeditionary Force, 12/1/17 – 20/11/18, 1 year 313 days. Total service, 2 years 352 days. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Joseph’s wife Mary Ann Elizabeth Dunkley on the 6th June 1919, and was witnessed and signed by James Pacey, J.P. County of Leicestershire, The Limes, Melton Mowbray on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Widow of soldier, Mary Ann Elizabeth Dunkley of 49, Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray. Children of soldier, Gwendoline Daisy, born June 24th 1915 of 49, Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray. Father of soldier, none. Mother of soldier, Sarah Jane Dunkley of 10, Timber Hill, Melton Mowbray. Full blood brothers of soldier, Russell Dunkley, age 29 of 10, Timber Hill, Melton Mowbray. Benjamin Dunkley, age 19 of 10, Timber Hill, Melton Mowbray. Frank Dunkley, age 13 of 10, Timber Hill, Melton Mowbray. Full blood sisters of soldier, Dorothy, age 25 of 10, Timber Hill, Melton Mowbray. Ivy May, age 15 of 10, Timber Hill, Melton Mowbray. Nephews and nieces of soldier, One Niece, age 2 of 10, Timber Hill, Melton Mowbray. Uncles and Aunts of soldier, James Travil, age 30 of 10, Timber Hill, Melton Mowbray. On the 14th April 1919, Joseph’s widow acknowledged the receipt of the following items of his personal property, disc, blue chevron, pocket case, letters, photos, cards, 2 safety razors, razor, cap badge and prayer book, these items had been forwarded from the Officer in charge of Royal Garrison Artillery Records in Dover on the 11th April 1919. Joseph’s widow and daughter were awarded a weekly pension of 20 shillings and 5 pence to commence on the 2nd June 1919.
On Friday November 29th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON MOWBRAY AND DISTRICT.” – DEATH OF GUNNER JOSEPH DUNKLEY. – An official telegram was received by Mrs. Joseph Dunkley, of Thorpe End, on Tuesday morning, that her husband, Gunner Dunkley, of the R.G.A., died from bronchial pneumonia in hospital in Salonika, on November 20th. Only a few days previously a letter had been received from Gunner Dunkley stating that he was in hospital but that his wife need not worry. Later came a telegram that he was seriously ill, followed by the official notification of his death. The deceased was 22 years of age and had been in the army for three and a half years and proceeded to Salonika in January, 1916. Prior to enlistment he was employed by Messrs. Rust and Co. He leaves a wife and one child for whom the deepest sympathy is felt.