Sergeant Norman Guthrie Chalmers Dunsford, whose name is included in the list of those killed in action, was well known and highly popular in Oamaru. He was the son of Mr W. G. Dunsford, formerly manager of the Timaru branch of the Union Bank of Australia, and was born on July 23rd, 1891. After finishing his education at the Timaru High School. Sergeant Dunsford joined the staff of the Bank of New South Wales in Timaru in October, 1908. In July, 1912, he was transferred to the Oamaru branch as ledgerkeeper. Here he took a keen interest in military matters, and received a commission as second lieutenant in the 10th (North Otago) Regiment on March 30, 1914, proving an excellent officer. When the call came for men to volunteer for service Mr Dunsford was one of the first in Oamaru — if not actually the first — to answer it. Failing to obtain a commission, he still adhered to his resolution and volunteered into the ranks, and received the rank of sergeant in the Otago Battalion of the main body of the Expeditionary Force. Sergeant Dunsford took an active interest in all sports, and was a prominent member of the Old Boys' Football Club. -Oamaru Mail, 12/6/1915.
Norman Dunsford was one of the many Otago men who were killed in a fruitless effort to gain territory in the early stages of the Gallipoli campaign. The Regiment sustained 50% casualties and was placed in reserve.
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