Guy Godolphin BONYTHON MC, MM

BONYTHON, Guy Godolphin

Service Numbers: 98, S213297
Enlisted: 11 September 1914, Morphettville, South Australia
Last Rank: Captain
Last Unit: Infantry Training Battalions
Born: Parkside, South Australia, 27 January 1893
Home Town: Rose Park, South Australia
Schooling: St. Peter's College Adelaide
Occupation: Bushman / Grazier
Died: Natural causes, South Australia, 23 June 1977, aged 84 years
Cemetery: Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia
Derrick Gardens Path 35 Grave 578B
Memorials: Adelaide Rowing Club WW1 Pictorial Honour Board, Copley Leigh Creek District Honour Roll, Hackney St Peter's College Honour Board, Hackney St Peter's College WW2 Honour Roll, Lyndhurst War Memorial, Tusmore Burnside District Roll of Honour
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World War 1 Service

11 Sep 1914: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 98, Morphettville, South Australia
12 Jan 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 98, 9th Light Horse Regiment, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1,

--- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Armadale embarkation_ship_number: A26 public_note: ''

12 Jan 1915: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 98, 9th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Armadale, Melbourne
31 May 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Trooper, 98, 9th Light Horse Regiment, ANZAC / Gallipoli
9 Aug 1917: Wounded AIF WW1, Corporal, 98, 48th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres
12 Oct 1917: Involvement AIF WW1, Corporal, 98, 48th Infantry Battalion, 1st Passchendaele
27 Oct 1917: Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 48th Infantry Battalion
5 May 1918: Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 48th Infantry Battalion
25 Aug 1919: Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 48th Infantry Battalion

World War 2 Service

1 May 1940: Involvement AIF WW1, Captain
1 May 1940: Enlisted S213297
1 May 1940: Enlisted Captain, S213297, Cheltenham, South Australia
2 May 1940: Involvement Captain, S213297
10 Feb 1944: Discharged S213297
10 Feb 1944: Discharged Captain, S213297, Infantry Training Battalions

336th Casualty List - 11 Sep 1917

Pte Guy Bonython listed as 'wounded' in the Advetiser 11 Sep 1917. http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/5552329

Awarded the Military Medal - Passchendaele

At Passchendaele Ridge NE of Zonnebeke, on 12 October 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the sole remaining NCO of his Platoon, he took charge of it and acted as Platoon Commander, his officer having been wounded. His cool bravery in organising his men in digging in on a new position showed great ability and skill in leadership. In doing this work he constantly exposed himself to sniping fire by enemy machine guns and rifles.

Maj M.S. Brearley.

Editors note - these actions are consistent with those associated with a Distinguished Conduct Medal, exhibiting poise leadership and courage in very difficult circumstances.

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A Cablegram from London.............

A cablegram from England states that Corporal Guy Godolphin Bonython, who* has been ' with the forces since the firstf enlistments in Australia, has received Ä commission. Lieutenant Bonython has been twice wounded. Besides going through the Gallipoli campaign, he has taken part in the principal engagements in France.

Adelaide Advertiser, Monday 12th November 1917

Biography

Son of Alfred McBain BONYTHON and Alice nee EKERS

Source - Adelaide Rowing Club.

Regimental number 98, Trooper Guy Godolphyn Bonython, 9th Light Horse Regiment was a 21 year old bushman from Rose Park, South Australia when he enlisted on 11 September 1914.

His NoK was listed as his father, Mr Alfred McBain Bonython, corner of Hewitt Avenue and Gurney Road, Rose Park, Adelaide, South Australia.

After basic training he and his colleagues embarked for overseas with "A" Squadron from Melbourne on 12 January 1915 aboard HMAT Armadale.

The Light Horse deployed to ANZAC as dismounted infantry from late May 1915.  After serving at Gallipoli, he transferred to the 48th Battalion and went on to serve on the Western Front where he was wounded in action twice.

On 12 October 1917 at Passchendaele, Belguim, he took charge of his platoon as the sole remaining NCO and with cool bravery showed great ability and leadership which lead to the award of the Military Medal.

He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 48th Battalion on 27 October 1917. On 3 May 1918 near Villers Bretonneux, France, when all the senior officers became casualties, he took charge of the Company and led it with great coolness and gallantry even while he himself was wounded. For this action, he was awarded the Military Cross.

After the war, he was married in England in January 1919 and four months later returned to Australia as a Lieutenant, with his new wife.

He was a member of the RSL as a Life Subscribption member until his death in 1977.  He resided at "Avondale", Yankalilla.

Lieutenant GG Bonython was presented with his Military Cross by General Birdwood on the 6 March 1920.

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