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Hedley, born on the 16th January 1916, was the fourth son of Emma Matilda (Mills) and Richard Mitchell Bonython, a gardener of Burnside. The large family included Richard Mitchell Jnr. Matilda Emma, Ivy Grace, William Thomas, Evelyn Vera, Annie Edna, Phoebe Elise, Christina Melrose, Cyril Alfred, Mary, Daphne and Henry.
Prior to Hedley’s birth, one of the family’s daughters, Annie Edna died aged five in May 1910. It appeared that a group of children were following a trolly carrying chaff. It was possible that Annie was either swinging on the back of the trolly or riding underneath on the axle. Unfortunately, she lost her grip and fell in front of a wheel, which then passed over her body. Despite immediately receiving attention and being taken to the Children’s Hospital, Annie died that night. She was described as “particularly popular among her playmates and neighbours at Magill.” She was the first of the family to be buried in the Payneham Cemetery.
Safety Standards were not well regulated in those times. Hedley was just eight years old when his older brother (and the second son) William was killed in a workplace accident on Friday, 4th April ‘24. The 22-year-old worked as a Quarryman for the Adelaide Brick Company at their site in Burnside, known as the ‘Clayhole’. The clay was transported by a horse drawn inclined tramway to a nearby 18 chamber kiln and thence made into bricks.
William had been told to climb the face of the quarry to scrape clay and stone from a ledge. Tragically, a large quantity of earth fell on him crushing his head and upper body, instantly causing his death. Inevitably, an inquest was held where statements were made that the ledge had been examined the previous evening and appeared safe. Similarly, explosives had not been used in the hole for over a month, leading to the conclusion that William died of injuries resulting from an accidental fall of earth in the pug hole. The Brick Company eventually paid William’s parents, Emma and Richard £300 as they were both dependents of William.
Stoically, the family shared their loss in the Chronicle Saturday 12 April 1924, BONYTHON.—'On the 5th April (accidentally killed), William Thomas, the second beloved son of R. M. Bonython, of Waterfall Gully-road, Burnside, aged 22 years 11 months.— Thy will be done.’
Less than four years later, when Hedley was 12, his 59-year-old father collapsed and died on the 25th February 1928 whilst delivering a bag of potatoes in a wheel cart to a local Burnside shop, just 300 yards from his home. An inquest was again held, and the findings indicated that his death was due to heart failure. He also was buried in the Payneham Cemetery, leaving Emma and their remaining children to mourn his loss.
Again, the tragic news was announced in the Advertiser. Monday 27 February 1928, BONYTHON.—'On the 25th February (suddenly), Richard Mitchell, the beloved husband of Emma Bonython, aged 59 years, leaving three sons and seven daughters to mourn their sad loss. Thy will be done.’
Known as Eddie, Hedley was employed as a Milk delivery man for the Sandecock family in the Norwood area. This was in the era when fresh deliveries were made daily, in a horse drawn milk cart, door to door.
Aged 24, Hedley, on the 7th August 1940 at Kensington, initially served as S11504 in the 51st Field Battery. Despite having a perforated right eardrum, by the end of that year he had enlisted in the A.I.F. as SX10501 and nominated his sister, Christina rather than his mother as his next of kin.
(Two other brothers, 30-year-old Cyril, also a milkman and iceman, later enlisted in January ’43 as SX30924 serving as a cook, including at Tarakan, New Guinea. He had previously been S30986. He was eventually discharged in November ’45. 20-year-old Henry, a Painter also enlisted as S40549 in December ’41 but soon after was discharged.)
At the time, the 2/48th Battalion needed reinforcements, with Hedley immediately being allocated to this battalion. By April he had embarked for the Middle East, arriving at the end of the following month. Intensive training at the Amiriya Camp followed, including Hedley finally being fully kitted out. Though considered minor, Hedley’s ear condition caused him to spend several weeks receiving treatment. This condition was to severely affect Hedley during the fierce fighting at El Alamein at the end of October ’42 and into November when he was wounded on the 2nd with a blast to his ears that perforated his right eardrum.
At the time, the 2/48th Battalion were exposed to ever-changing conditions and the fighting was continuous. The soldiers had prepared for the second battle of El Alamein which began on October 23rd. Mongomery ordered the 9th Battalion to attack northward with an all-out attack on the strategically positioned Trig 29. The evening was described by John Glenn in ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ as ‘an occasional burst from a machine gun disturbed the night of 24th October. Nevertheless, it was a busy time for the tired men. Little or no sleep could be had. A hot meal sent forward after dark was quickly swallowed. There was no time for yarning. Defences had to be improved, more digging and wiring done, and patrols sent out.’ He later added that ‘the 2/48th had stirred up a real hornets’ nest.’ On that night alone 9 of the Battalion were killed and 20 wounded in action. Of these 16 were from South Australia and the remainder from Western Australia. Glenn explains they were ‘running into particularly stiff opposition to the west of the Trig point. It was only after hard fighting, with heavy casualties on both sides, that they were able to consolidate on their objective. Gradually the platoon, small in number to start with, was being whittled away and those remaining were being forced to go to ground.’ He added ‘At last light on the same front some three hundred enemy troops attacked, and D Company area was swept by small arms fire.’
Back home the November issue of the Chronicle carried an extensive list of the cost to the soldiers involved in Hedley’s battalion. SX11130 Pte. Ernest W S. Moore from Nth. Kensington and SX13756 Pte. Edward G. Davis, from Salisbury were killed in action. SX8096 A-Cpl. Henry D. Laughton, from King's Park was listed as Dangerously Wounded. Many others were listed as wounded in action including SX10316 Mjr. Geoffrey S. Edmunds, Toorak; SX9064 Lt. Hugh F. Treloar, Adelaide; SX8402 Pte. Arnold R. Dolan, Renmark; SX6910 Pte. Hoard Major, Woodville; SX6832 Pte. Walter J. Fennell, Berri; SX13701 Pte. Frank M. Lowe, Whyalla; SX7609 Pte. Colin H. Rickard, Penola; SX7411 Pte. Walter H. J. Hay, Murray Bridge; SX7122 Pte. Percival G. Bartholomew, Narrung; SX11828 Pte. Roy H. Winter, Thebarton; SX7242 Pte. P. A. Pfeiffer, Berri; SX7130 Pte. Eric A. Goold, Salisbury; SX6829 L-Cpl. Clement R. P. Billing, Pinnaroo; SX10501 Pte. Hedley K. Bonython, Burnside; SX7591 Cpl. Jack S. Bowers, Unley; SX7666 Pte. Eric J. Chuck, Kalangadoo; SX8810 Pte. Havard (Howard) R. Crabb, Whyalla; SX13683 Pte. Sydney L. Farrell Broken Hill: SX7657 Pte. Myers A. Geraghy, Pt . Macdonnell; SX7266 Sgt. Neil Gilchrist, Balaklava; SX9376 Pte. Harold H. Gogel, Moorook; SX11131 Pte. H. N. Headon, Adelaide; SX7642 Pte Donald J. Kerin, Burra; SX8837 Pte. Edgar V. W. Lynch, Adelaide; SX9445 Pte. Lawerence H. Mickan, Cummins; SX7025 A-L/Cpl. Paul B. Morrissey King's Park; SX9530 Pte. David R. Munn, Colonel Light Gardens: SX5030 Pte. Eric R. Olds, Adelaide; SX8239 Pte. Colin R. Parsons, Minlaton; SX8904 Pte. Keith Player, Warooka; SX6915 Cpl. Glyn H. Pope, Cheltenham; SX13012 Pte. Jack Ralla, Brompton; SX7410 Cpl. Robert F. G. Ranford, Davington; SX14283 Pte. John D Seebohm, Tantanoola; SX11302 Pte. Walter Sharp, Magill; SX7206 Pte. Ronald. C. Smith, Helmsdale; SX6894 Pte. Thomas V. Trish, Mile End; SX7221 Pte. William H. Vivian, Albert Park; SX7689 Pte. John E. Wakeman, Robe; SX11160 Pte. Samuel E. Welsh, Adelaide and SX7808 Sgt, Jack K. Weston, Appila.
This injury affected Hedley’s involvement with his battalion, with his health being assessed as ‘Fit for duties other than active service with field formations.’ It was fortuitous that the battle-hardened men were able to celebrate Christmas and more importantly to leaving the Middle East in February ’43 returning to Australia via Sydney and back to South Australia for hard-earned leave.
Just days before arriving, Hedley’s 66 year old mother died, with an announcement placed in the Chronicle Thursday 25 February 1943, ‘BONYTHON.—On Feb. 18, at Russell Ave., Hazelwood Pk., Burnside, Emma, beloved wife late Richard M. Bonython, leaving 3 sons, 7 daughters, 23 grand-children, 2 great-grandchildren. A patient sufferer at rest, aged 66 yrs. Loved by all.’ She now rests with her husband, Richard, daughter Annie and son William in the Payneham Cemetery.
By May, Hedley was detached to the Supply Depot, before in September being allocated to the 25/33 Loveday Garrison Battalion, where he received his first fine of 5/- for non-compliance of Orders. The following month he sustained a workplace injury when dismantling a telephone booth. Unfortunately, the roof of the structure came off, trapping his hand between that and the cabinet, causing lacerations of his right hand and two fingers. This injury was considered, not to be severe enough to cause permanent injury affecting his ability to serve as a soldier.
In February ’51 Hedley announced his forthcoming marriage to Beryl Rosia Pope in the Advertiser ‘Saturday 24 February 1951, POPE — BONYTHON. — The marriage of Beryl, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Pope, of Colonel Light Gardens, to Hedley (Eddie), son of the late Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Bonython, of Hazelwood Park, will be solemnised at Colonel Light Gardens Methodist Church, on Saturday, March 3, at 7 p.m.
Following 61 years of marriage, 83-year-old Beryl pre-deceased Hedley by 16 days. She died on the 2nd June 2012. 96-year-old Hedley died on the 18th June 2012. They were buried together at Centennial Park Cemetery in the Family Shrub section, Bed 8 Position 59.
Nearby are two of Hedley’s brothers, Cyril ‘Alf’ and Henry.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.