SAPPER OSCAR BONWICK
7782 – 2nd Tunnelling Company
Oscar Bonwick was born in Goulburn, New South Wales in 1882 and registered in Argyle, NSW as the son of James Josiah and Agnes (nee Baines) Bonwick. He went to New Zealand and was married in 1904 to Margaret Ann Foley. They returned to Queensland where in 1913 he was the manager of the Westmore Cheese Factory.
At the Recruiting Depot in Toowoomba, Qld on July 7, 1917 the thirty-five year old applied to enlist for active service abroad. Passing the medical examination which was subject to dental attention, forms of Attestation were completed and his description on enlistment was 170cms (5ft 7ins) tall, weighing 65kgs (143lbs) with a chest expansion of 84-92cms (33-36ins). Fresh was his complexion with blue eyes and brown hair and his eyes tested to good vision. Roman Catholic was his religious denomination. Next-of-kin was his wife Mrs Margaret Bonwick of Killarney, via Warwick, Qld. He was sworn in the same day.
Basic training commenced with the 11th Reinforcement to the 4th Pioneer Battalion at Enoggera Camp, Brisbane from July 14 to July 31, 1917 then re-allotted to the Miners’ Depot (1st Military District). During this time he was granted home leave from July 18 until July 21, 1917.
On August 8, 1917 he was transferred to the Miners’ Training Camp at Seymour, Victoria and placed with the May, 1917 Reinforcements for further training until August 28. He made a Will which was lodged with Base Records Office. His rank was Sapper and assigned the regimental number 7782. The men were relocated to Bendigo for special instruction until November 2, 1917. While there Sapper Bonwick suffered a Contusion at Chest on October 6 and spent the night in the Bendigo Clearing Hospital was transferred the next day to Bendigo Hospital.
The men returned to Seymour camp on November 2 to continue training until November 20 when they left for an overnight stay at Broadmeadows camp in Melbourne, Vic in preparation to board the transport the following day.
The troopship HMAT A71 Nestor departed Port Melbourne, Vic on November 21, 1917 with 168 Reinforcements on board. The voyage of twenty-five days duration terminated at the Suez on December 15, 1917 and the men disembarked going to the Australian Infantry Camp, Suez the same day.
They entrained for Alexandria on January 4, 1918 and marched into the Australian Camp, Gabbary, in Alexandria on January 5.
They boarded on January 8, 1918 the Transport E620 Abbasiah, disembarking at Taranto, Italy on 12 January. It was an unusual journey for the troops to undertake the weeklong train travel from Taranto to Cherbourg, France, and to then cross the channel to Southampton, England disembarking on January 24, 1918. A further entrainment completed their journey to Tidworth and they marched into No. 3 Details Camp at Parkhouse for further training.
Base Records received a letter dated January 29, 1918 from A. Bonwick of Scoresby, 47 Ewart Street, Malvern, Vic inquiring about the correct way to address letters to a Tunneller. His name and number were given but was not sure of the remainder of the address. A standard form letter was returned dated January 31 giving the complete address.
The Reinforcement proceeded overseas from Southampton to France on March 2, 1918 marching into the Aust General Base Depot in Rouelles the next day. On March 8 they went to the Aust Corps Depot.
Sapper Bonwick was attached to the 2nd Tunnelling Company on March 15, 1918.
Thirteen days later on March 28 he was wounded in action being gassed from shell attack and taken to the 56th Casualty Clearing Station and then to the 14th Field Ambulance.
The Unit Diary of the 2nd Tunnelling Company for that day is as follows:
He was transferred to the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital and after a week was released to the 6th Convalescent Depot in Etaples on March 30. A few days later was transferred to the 11th Convalescent Hospital in Buchy on April 2, 1918. Base Records advised his wife on April 14, 1918 he had been gassed. The following disciplinary action took place while there:
Crime:Buchy W.O.A.S. [While on Active Service] overstaying his Pass to
Rouen from 6.30 p.m. 15/5/18 till 6.30 p.m. 17/5/18
Award:28 days F.P. No. 1 [Field Punishment] by Lt-Col Cannon R.A.M.C.
Total forfeiture:31 day’s pay
His name appeared in the Casualty List published in The Queenslander on Saturday May 4, 1918:
To the Field Punishment Compound he was marched on May 19 but returned on May 22 to the A.G.B.D. in Rouelles. Under arrest he was marched to his Unit on May 31 and rejoined on June 3, 1918.
A month later on July 5, 1918 he was accidentally injured suffering abrasions to his face and admitted to the 15th Aust Field Ambulance leaving the next day for the 61st Casualty Clearing Station. A day later was conveyed on A.T.35 entering the 6th General Hospital in Rouen on July 8, 1919.
The Unit Diary for that date is as follows:
He was transferred to England on July 14, 1918 entering the next day Cambridge Hospital in Aldershot with contused eye and abrasions. Remarks on his case were:
Cerebral Concussion - Injured in France while riding a motor cycle – abrasions of face and concussion. Left hospital on October 2, 1918.
Discharged to furlough on October 3, 1918 and report to Littlemoor camp, Weymouth on October 15 where he was admitted to the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Millbank with debility.
It was recorded on October 18 that he was A.W.L. from hospital on October 15 but changed in error when realised he was in hospital.
On October 28 was released to the 1st Auxiliary Hospital with debility and was convalescent on admission therefore two days later discharged to the No. 4 Command Depot at Harefield. On October 31 at the Classification Room he was noted to be anaemic and his debility was classed B1a3. He was at the Depot when Peace was declared.
Discipline was enforced on November 19, 1918 for the following:
Offence:Hurdcott A.W.L. 2400 18/11/18 to 2230 20/11/18
Award:2 days F.P. No. 2 by Lt Col A. Jackson
Total forfeiture:4 day’s pay
On November 30, 1918 he arrived from Parkhouse camp to the A.A.M.C. Training Depot. Left on December 2, 1918 for duty with No. 2 Group Clearing Hospital and was detached on December 9 and marched out to the A.A.M.C. Training Depot in Fovant.
He marched out on December 12 to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth and appeared before the Medical Board on December 17 at No. 1 Group Monte Video camp. His Statement of Case reads:
Disability:Debility
Origin of disability:July 5, 1918
Place of disability:France
Essential facts:Was carrying despatches on Motor Cycle and ran into wooden? – was unconscious, 3 months in hospital – became debilitated.
Attributable:Attributable to active service
Present condition:Condition improved – still anaemic – gets tired easily
Specific condition:Accident
Recommendation:Temporarily unfit for general service for six months. Fit home service.
A Dental Check-up took place on January 5, 1919 and declared ‘fit’.
He was admitted at Portland on March 3, 1919 to the H.T. Euripides for the voyage home to Australia. His berth was a hammock. Base Records advised his wife on March 18 that he was on his way home. During the journey a Kit Inspection was made on March 22 and found to be complete and in good order.
Names of soldiers returning were listed in The Queenslander on Saturday March 29, 1919:
In the ship’s hospital urinary tests were carried out on April 19 and the following day the ship arrived in Melbourne, Vic. (3rd M.D.) where he departed from for Brisbane, Qld (1st M.D.)
At the 6th General Hospital at Kangaroo Point, Brisbane on May 1, 1919 he was medically assessed for his debility due to Military Service. Present condition was noted as:
Looks well and feels well now. Colour good, weight normal. Occasional headaches.
Discharge was recommended.
Military Discharge was issued in Brisbane (1st M.D.) on May 24, 1919 as medically unfit. He returned to Long Swamp, Killarney, Qld.
His Will was forwarded to the Assistant Adjutant General’s Office (1st Military District) on September 16, 1919.
Oscar Bonwick passed away on December 7, 1919 aged 37 years. Interment was in the General Cemetery in Warwick, Qld.
Solicitors Curnow, Fleming & Caine of Examiner Building, Palmerin Street, Warwick, Qld wrote to Base Records on September 1, 1920 inquiring about their letter of August 11 and receiving no answer. Base Records replied on September 7 stating that there was no record of their letter reaching their office in regards to Sapper Bonwick. The Solicitors replied on September 14 with a copy of their request and advised of the death and date of the ex-soldier. His original Will had gone astray and wanted to know if they held or knew where a copy of his Will could be located. On September 24, 1920 Base Records advised the Solicitors that a copy of his Will had been dispatched to the Assistant Adjutant General, 1st Military District on 16/9/19 and suggested that they inquire at that Office.
A Copy of Service was made for War Pensions on September 22, 1920.
Sapper 7782 Oscar Bonwick, 2nd Tunnelling Company was awarded the British War Medal (59245) and the Victory Medal (58165) for serving his country which went to his widow. The Commandant (1st M.D.) received the War Medal about June 24, 1921 to distribute to Mrs Bonwick and the Victory Medal was sent directly to her. Her husband was ineligible for the Memorial Scroll.
A complete copy of his War Service was forwarded to the Repatriation Department, Brisbane (1st M.D.) on July 8, 1921.
The Brisbane Courier reported on Monday October 31, 1921 the following article:
Dying only months after discharge and within the specified period after the war allows Oscar Bonwick’s name to be included in the National Roll of Honour and is commemorated on Panel 26 in the Commemorative Area of the Australian War Memorial.
Further commemoration of his name can be located on the War Memorial at Killarney, Qld.
His name is also honoured by a War Plaque in the Garden of Remembrance, Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery, Bridgeman Downs, Brisbane, Qld on Wall 1 Row H.
His grave is marked by a War Grave Plaque and can be located in the Warwick General Cemetery, Qld within the Roman Catholic portion, section C3 in grave 1110.
LEST WE FORGET
© Donna Baldey 2012