Name
Bert Bonner
23 November 1882
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
07/11/1914
31
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
7865
Royal Warwickshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 8.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
Bert was born on 23 November 1882 in Hitchin and baptised in Eynesbury, Hunts in 1891 along with his siblings Ellen Sophia (b 3/11/1878) and Charles William (b 23/8/1880) and Mabel Daisy (b 16/2/1891). Their parents were George and Matha Bonner (née Hinchcliffe) who were married in York on 30 October 1876. George was from Arlesey and Marta from Barnsley, Yorks.
In 1891 the family were living at Berkley Street, Eynesbury, Hunts. Present were both parents: George (34) and Martha (32), with George working as a tradesman (possibly tin). Their children were Ellen Sophia (12), Charles William (10), Bert (8), Daisy Mabel (later recorded as Mabel Daisy) at just 7 Weeks.
By 1901 the family had moved to 10 Lower Skircoat Green, Halifax, Yorks. Present were both parents, with George working as a tinplate worker. Their children present were Charles, Bert, now 18 and a carter for an oil distillery, Mabel, and new don George Hinchliffe (7).
By 1911 the family had moved again and were living at 10 Aspinall St East Halifax. both parents were still present, George now working as an iron and tin plate worker. The census recorded they had been married for 32 years with 7 children, of whom 2 had died. Of the children only Mabel and George were still present. Bert may already have been serving as a soldier.
Officially he was recorded as born in Hitchin and enlisting in Halifax.
Wartime Service
As Bert landed in France on 4 October 1914, he was almost certainly a serving soldier with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Who, at the outbreak of war were in Malta. Returned to England 19 August 1914. Joined 22nd Brigade, 7th Division and landed at Zeebrugge 6 October 1914. Bert’s medal cards record that he landed overseas on the 4th so he may have been party of the lead party.
The Regiment had fought alone the Menin Road where most of its early casualties were received including its colonel.
Bert was reported as missing on 5 December 1914 and there must have been no further news of him because his family made enquiries were made of the British Red Cross & Order of St John for news. The first such enquiry was made on 18 May 1915 and then another on 26 June 1915. In both cases the family said that the last contact from Bert was on 2 November 1914. There was no news and later, obviously much later, Bert’s death was presumed at on or after 7 November 1914 and killed in action at Zonnebeke. The war diary is missing for this period.
Additional Information
After his death £15 10s 5d pay owing was authorised to go to his father on 14 December 1915. Later, a war gratuity of £5 was authorised to be paid to him on 9 July and 1919.
His pension cards record George Bonner as his father and as his dependant, living at Shibden Mill, Fold Shibden, Halifax, Yorks. He was awarded a pension of 14s a week from 11 April 1918 to 9 June 1920 May 1919.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild
