Name
Richard Bonfield
1890
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
08/05/1915
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
2921
East Surrey Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 34.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Baldock Town Memorial, St Mary the Virgin Church Memorial, Baldock
Pre War
Richard Bonfield was born in 1890 in Baldock, the son of Joseph and Emma Bonfield, and baptised on 19 October 1890 in Baldock. he was one of seven children, although one died in infancy.
On the 1891 Census the family were living at Clarke's Lane, Baldock, where his father was working as a carpenter. They remained in Baldock in 1901, then living at Footballs Close with his father working as carpenter and Joseph being listed as a house boy. By the 1911 Census they were living at 7 Bygrave Lane, Baldock, Herts and Richard was working as a core maker for moulders in the motor works.
His parents later lived at 13, Icknield Way, Baldock, Herts.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Hitchin and served with the 2nd Battalion, East Surrey Regiment in France from 27 April 1915.
Richard was presumed dead on or after 8 May 1915 but has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £3 and pay owing of £2 19s 7d. He also applied for a pension, but there is no indication if one was granted or how much was paid.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Adrian Pitts, Paul Johnson