BONWICK, Walter Hugh
| Service Number: | 6691 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 January 1917 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 18th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Mt Ellersley, Auckland, New Zealand, 27 October 1899 |
| Home Town: | Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Sydney Technical High School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Died: | Upper Beaconsfield, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 22 January 1964, aged 64 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne Banksia, Garden 2, Bed 2, position 49. |
| Memorials: | Sydney Technical High School WW1 Roll Of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 8 Jan 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 6691, 18th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Feb 1917: | Involvement Private, 6691, 18th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Wiltshire embarkation_ship_number: A18 public_note: '' | |
| 7 Feb 1917: | Embarked Private, 6691, 18th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Wiltshire, Sydney |
Help us honour Walter Hugh Bonwick's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Sydney Technical High School
Walter Hugh Bonwick was born on the 27th of October 1899 in Mt Ellersley, Auckland, New Zealand. (1) His early childhood was filled with personal hardships, as his father, Edwin Bonwick, faced legal troubles, charged with wife desertion. (2) He attended Sydney Technical High School, in 1914 in the class of 2D in Term 1 where he completed his education in 1914. (3) Following his schooling, Bonwick worked as a clerk, a role that honed his skills in organisation and attention to detail. (4)
In January 1917, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) at 18 years and 5 months old. He then embarked for England on 11th April 1917 aboard the HMAT A18 Wiltshire to England. (5) After disembarking at Devonport on the 28th of April 1917, he was then transferred to the 62nd Battalion from the 18th Battalion on the 4th of September 1917 at Windmill Hill. (6) Following this, he then proceeded to France on 12th September 1917 and marched in to 62nd Battalion on the 2nd of October 1917 where he was transferred again to the 53rd Battalion (7)
During his service, he was awarded two days of field punishment for neglecting to obey an order on the 4th of September 1917, a standard disciplinary action that often involved physical tasks or restrictions. (9)
In August 1918, Bonwick participated in the Battle of Amiens from the 8th to the 11th of August, a decisive Allied victory that marked the beginning of the war’s end. The Allies comprised the Canadian Corps, the British 4th Army, the French 1st Army, and the Australian Corps. This battle initiated the Hundred Days Offensive, where trench warfare was supplemented with more mobile tactics and concentrated firepower. Although trench warfare was still in use, the focus shifted towards coordinated attacks using tanks, infantry, and aircraft until an armistice was signed on the 11th of November 1918. (11) The 53rd Battalion, of which he was part, played an essential role in advancing against German positions and pushing the front line forward, helping to break through heavily fortified enemy defences. Bonwick was promoted to temporary Corporal on the 1st of October 1918, and later officially appointed Lance Corporal. (12)
He returned to Australia on 28th February 1919 aboard the HMT Anchises and was discharged from the AIF on 18th of May 1919. (13) After the war, he married Christine Erica Storm (later Christine Erica Bonwick) on the same day he was discharged, 8th of September 1924. (14) The couple had two sons and settled in Victoria, Australia. (15)
Following the war, Bonwick resumed his work as a clerk, assimilating back into his ordinary life. The family lived in various locations, including 12 Loch Street, Surrey Hills, Deakin, Victoria, and later Berwick, Bruce, Victoria. (16) Bonwick passed away on the 22nd of January 1964 in Upper Beaconsfield, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, at the age of 64-65 and was buried at Springvale Botanical Cemetery. (17)
References:
New South Wales, Australia Police Gazettes, 1854-1930
Explanation: This source provided information about the legal hardships faced by Walter Hugh Bonwick’s father, Edwin Bonwick, which shaped Bonwick’s early life.
New South Wales, Australia Police Gazettes, 1854-1930
Explanation: This source also details Edwin Bonwick's legal issues, reinforcing the context of Walter Bonwick's childhood.
Ken Stevenson, Research on Google Drive
Explanation: This research document compiled by Ken Stevenson offered detailed insights into Bonwick’s personal history and military career.
National Archives Australia
Explanation: Provided comprehensive records on Bonwick's enlistment, service details, and other official military documentation.
National Archives Australia
Explanation: This source was repeatedly referenced for additional details on Bonwick's military engagements and service record.
National Archive Australia
Explanation: This source was repeatedly referenced for additional details on Bonwick’s Military
National Archive Australia
Explanation: This source was repeatedly referenced for additional details on Bonwick’s Military engagements and service record.
2nd Passchendaele, Virtual War Memorial
Explanation: Detailed Bonwick's participation in the Third Battle of Ypres (2nd Passchendaele).
National Archives Australia
Explanation: Provided further detailed records of Bonwick’s service during the German Spring Offensive.
German Spring Offensive, Virtual War Memorial
Explanation: Documented Bonwick’s involvement in the German Spring Offensive.
The Battle of Amiens, Virtual War Memorial
Explanation: Describe Bonwick’s role in the Battle of Amiens.
National Archives Australia
Explanation: Offered additional information about Bonwick’s military service, promotions, and duties.
National Archives Australia
Explanation: This source was further referenced for more detailed records on Bonwick's service.
Staff Nurse Christine Erica Strom, Australian War Memorial
Explanation: Provided information about Bonwick’s wife, Christine Erica Strom, and their marriage date.
Photograph, Walter Bonwick and his sons, 12 Loch Street, 1936
Explanation: This photograph documented Bonwick's family life, showing him with his sons at their residence.
Photograph, Walter Bonwick and his sons, 12 Loch Street, 1936
Explanation: This source was also referenced for additional context on Bonwick’s family life.
Bill Walter High Bonwick (1899-1964) - Find a Grave Memorial
Explanation: Confirmed the location of Bonwick's grave and offered additional personal details
Bibliography:
Ken Stevenson, Research on Google Drive
BONWICK W - Walter Hugh - Google Drive
Staff Nurse Christine Erica Strom | Australian War Memorial Staff Nurse Christine Erica Strom | Australian War Memorial (awm.gov.au)
Virtual War Memorial | Information on Battle of Amiens Virtual War Memorial (vwma.org.au)Virtual War Memorial (vwma.org.au)
Virtual War Memorial | Information on the German Spring Offensive
Virtual War Memorial (vwma.org.au)
Virtual War Memorial | Information on 2nd Passchendaele
Virtual War Memorial (vwma.org.au)
Private Walter High Bonwick | Australian War Memorial
Private Walter High Bonwick | Australian War Memorial (awm.gov.au)
Virtual War Memorial | Walter Hugh BONWICK Virtual War Memorial | Walter Hugh BONWICK (vwma.org.au)
Timelines
Timelines (memories.net)
Photograph, Walter Bonwick and his sons, 12 Loch Street, 1936 | Victorian Collections Photograph, Walter Bonwick and his sons, 12 Loch Street, 1936 (victoriancollections.net.au)
Residents of Upper Beaconsfield and surrounding areas - Person Page
Residents of Upper Beaconsfield and surrounding areas - Person Page (upperbeaconsfieldhistory.au)
Bill Walter High Bonwick (1899-1964) - Find a Grave Memorial
Bill Walter High Bonwick (1899-1964) - Find a Grave Memorial