Thomas Bonney headshot

A family mystery solved on Armistice Day 2014 ... Grandma always recalled Tommy Bonney on Remembrance Day because he had "died with in 24 hours of it". But researching the records, showed he died aged 22, killed in action 31 March 1918..

 

Research in the Durham Light Infantry archives shows he served from 15 September 1914, promoted to Sergeant in October 1916. The last entry shows him as killed in action on 31 March 1918.

 

This was the last counter attack mounted by 11 DLI to help maintain the line at Thennes in the wake of the German assault. The following day, the remnants of the battalion were pulled out of the line.

 

So that is the basis of the story of how close he came to surviving the war.

 

Bonney, Thomas

 

Sergeant 18688, miner aged 22, from Ouston, near Birtley, killed in action 31 March 1918, buried at Moreuil Communal Cemetery. D Company.

 

Thomas Bonney enlisted and was medically examined 15 September 1914 at Birtley, Co Durham. He was 5ft 6 ins tall, 152 lbs, chest expansion 2 inches to 36 inches. Fair complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair, and Church of England.

 

In 1911, he was living at 200 Ouston Square, Birtley. His father was John Bonney, 51, a coal miner hewer. His mother was Jane, known as Jennie, aged 48. He had two older brothers, Richard, 23 and William, 19 (see below), both coal putters. Thomas was a colliery driver, underground. There were two younger brothers, James 9 and Ralph 7, as well as a sister Margaret,13, living at home. From his service records we also know that he had an older, married sister, Annie Henderson aged 33 [in 1919] of 80 C Street East, Pelton, Co Durham.

 

Served during training from 15 September 1914 to 19 July 1915, leaving for France on 20 July 1915 and serving there until 31 March 1918. Bonney served in D Company, 11 DLI. He was confirmed Corporal in December 1915. He suffered from a bout of influenza from 25 March 1916 to 28 March, being treated by 60th Field Ambulance. On 16 July 1916 he was promoted to Lance Sergeant, and was confirmed as full Sergeant on 22 October 1916, having been originally appointed 29 August.

 

On 10 April 1917 he was reported ‘D.U.O.’ having been admitted to 62nd Field Ambulance on 24 March 1917. He was sent to 35 IBS on 7 April but was back with his unit on the 12th. There are a number of other pencil notes on his record regarding illnesses but these are illegible. The last entry shows him as killed in action on 31 March 1918. This was the last counter attack mounted by 11 DLI to help maintain the line at Thennes in the wake of the German assault. The following day, the remnants of the battalion were pulled out of the line.

 

The last dated item in the file is a letter dated 22 July 1920 to his widow Mrs Elizabeth Bonney, Institute Terrace, Ouston, Birtley, Co Durham explaining that his grave had been exhumed and the remains reburied at Moreuil as part of the process of concentration of cemeteries.

 

His widow, née Lizzie Greener, re-married after the war and moved abroad. Her new family always accepted that Thomas Bonney had been her first love and joined in the commemoration of his death, including to the present generation.

 

Bonney, William

 

Lance Corporal 24145 William Bonney, aged 25, from Birtley, was killed in action 20 September 1917, and buried at Cement House Cemetery, Langemarck. His service records have not survived, but he was the older brother of Sergeant Thomas Bonney. He was the husband of Margaret Jane Bonney of 298 North Street, Ouston, Pelton, Co Durham.

 

At the time of William Bonney’s death, 11 DLI were based on the Yser Canal Bank at Ypres, helping to consolidate the gains of 20th Division in the capture of Langemarck, and extending their hold on the area round through the capture of Eagle Trench. They were involved both directly in the fighting and in trench consolidation work. Several were killed and wounded and Captain Sear was awarded the MC for his bravery during these actions.

 

Elizabeth Bonney (nee Lizzie Greener)

 

When you go home

Tell them of us and say

For your tomorrow

We gave our today

— Kohima Epitaph by Major John Etty-Leal

 

 

"31 March, Sunday: The (following) day witnessed a similar pattern of events (to the 30th), but this time the lines came under heavy artillery bombardment and with both flanks being turned fell back to a line just south of the River Luce at about 4pm. Captain Pemberton of 11 DLI orgnaised a position on a hill south east of Thennes. The Germans attacked at 4pm, but were repulsed.

The remnants of 6 KSLI and 11 DLI took part with cavalry in a counter-attack and between them the flanks had been secured by 8pm, aided by artillery fire from the dividional command p0ost on higher ground at Domart.

Among the casualties was Captain Endean, who was wounded. Sergeant T Bonney was killed and is buried at Moreuil Communal Cemetery. Lance Corporal John Yates was also killed and is commemorated at Pozieres."

 

The next day the battalion was withdrawn from the line and taken by bus to Quevauvillers just south west of Amiens to rest. Sgt Bonney missed survival by 24 hours, having previously survived the long and difficult fighting retreat from St Quentin since 21st March. ... Captain Miles describes the remnant of 11 DLI that came out of the line as 'the strength of s strong platoon'.

 

Portrait of Thomas Bonney (hatless, in uniform)

 

Thomas Bonney, Ouston Square, Birtley, "Durham Light Infantry", "First World War", #WW1 heroes , #WW1 heroes , Remembrance Day ,WW1 Centenary , #RemembranceDay ,#WW1Centenary , 11 DLI, 20th Light Division, 6 KSLI, Captain Endean, Captain Pemberton, cavalry, Domart, Easter Day 1918, L Cpl John Yates, Lt Colonel Hayes, Moreuil, Pozieres Memorial, Sgt Thomas Bonney, shell splinter, Thennes, wounded.

Done