Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Arthur was a third generation Bonshor to live in Australia. His paternal grandfather, Isaac Bonshor was born at Old Dalby in England, arriving in Melbourne on his first birthday. By his seventh birthday the family was living in Mount Gambier running a carrying business between Port MacDonnell, Narracoorte and Penola. Once married, Isaac and his wife Elizabeth lived at Millicent in the south east of South Australia where he had various jobs including as a butcher, herdsman and ranger for the old Mount Mulfhead Council before resuming work as a teamster. He had one son, Arthur who married Greta.
Arthur (Arty) was one of seven children born to Arthur and Greta Bonshor at Millicent on the 13th April 1914. Named after his father, Arthur, the older of two sons, was invariably called Arty and his younger brother Gordon Ross was also known by his middle name. There were also other siblings including Aileen, Yvonne Louise, Beryl, Heather and Elma. From 1934, after the death of Isaac, grandmother, Elizabeth lived with Arthur’s family until her death in ’36.
Throughout Arty’s school years he had demonstrated that he was an outstanding scholar. In 1926 he gained the compulsory Qualifying Certificate and a scholarship having achieved the highest marks obtained at a local school examination of 655 from a possible 700. The Local South Eastern Times reported that the head teacher ‘announced that they were all proud of the results of the QC examination and particularly of Arthur Bonshor's splendid achievement in gaining 655 marks. The committee desired, to mark- the achievement by presenting a gold medal to the successful student. It would be suitably inscribed; and would bear witness to the fact that Arthur Bonshor was Dux of the school for the year 1926. “
Arty was one of the first students to study at the new Millicent High School in ‘28. At the end of year celebration, the Head Teacher commented that “A very good beginning has been made, and there is promise of even better progress in the future, I believe that all the pupils have made some improvement and that a considerable number have made the best possible use of the instruction afforded.” He made special, public reference to Arty “Outstanding work has been done by Arthur Bonshor, who has topped the class each term. He should do well in the intermediate examination.” Which he did in passed his Leaving Certificate, studying English, History, Arithmetic, Mathematics 1 and II plus Physics and was also announced as a scholarship winner. Arty continued his impressive school work in the ensuing years.
Post school Arty became a plumber but made time to play football for Millicent alongside his brother Ross and was regularly in both the best player and goals scoring lists. When Arty’s sister, Yvonne married in February ’38 Arty acted as bestman for Robert Cole Neale while sister Aileen was a bridesmaid. (Robert was later to also enlist with the Airforce, becoming a Leading Aircraftman 443091. He survived the war and was discharged in July ’45.)
With the outbreak of WWII 26-year-old Arty enlisted on the 13th July 1940 and was given the number SX8877. He was one of many local young men who had headed to Adelaide to undergo medicals and await their call to go into camp. Arty’s initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before he and other new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training.
Just prior to Christmas, Arty was home on a week’s pre-embarkation leave. In typical country fashion, a social was organised at the local Institute Hall for a valedictory and reception celebration. The men honoured included a number who enlisted with Arty including several also being in the 2/48th Battalion, with brothers Malcolm and James Sutherland (SX8882 and SX8881 respectively), Peter McArthur SX8879, Reg Seebohm SX8177 and Gerald Bellinger SX8878. The Hall was at capacity and was the largest gathering of relatives and friends held at Millicent since the war began. The South Eastern Times reported that ‘The guests entered the hall between a guard of honor formed by members of the returned soldiers' volunteer defence corps, while over 300 residents of the town and district stood to receive them.’
In an eulogistic speech the chairman declared that the young men ‘would make the Italians run faster and would give Hitler all he was looking for. The British Empire could not be beaten. Victory was in sight, and their airmen would soon be dropping two bombs for Hitler's one. Their guests that night were "fighting fit," and were a credit to Millicent and to the country they would represent overseas. The news of the retreat of the "Dagoes" was very heartening, but victory over them would not win the war. Britain was fighting practically alone for the preservation of democracy, and her peril was such that a 100 per cent, war effort was necessary to pull her through. Australia would have to do much more than was being done at present. Sixty thousand tons of British shipping had been sunk every week since the war began, all loaded with foodstuffs and supplies for Britain and her armies. If that were not stopped, God help Australia and the democracies. Their guests would help to stop it.’ Additional comments were made that ‘the men of the second A.I.F. would carry the torch high, and not allow it to be extinguished by Hitler. They would crush the false gods of Hitlerism and his demons of lust, and cruelty, and avarice. The experiences of countries overpowered by the Nazi hordes showed clearly that the issue for Australia was victory or slavery. The guests were descendants of a hardy, adventurous race, who came out in leaking sailing ships and wrested prosperity from a wilderness. They had the same grit and courage and would fight Hitler to the last ditch. When, in due course, they returned to Australia, they would find here a strong organisation of men of the old A.I.F. who would stand, by them through thick and thin.’ It was a stirring evening of speeches.
The Country Women’s’ Association presented the young men with a parcel of comforts, while the Millicent Council presented them with pocket wallets. Malcolm Sutherland, on behalf of the men, made a speech in thanks to the community for their support.
Following pre-embarkation leave Arty and his fellow 2/48th Battalion, headed overseas for the Middle East, in February 1941 and disembarked on the 23rd March. Their 2/48th Battalion completed a few months training at Amiriya. Unfortunately, Arty was wounded, not during a fight with the enemy but in a ‘friendly’ wrestling match. This inevitably was reported in the September ’41 issue of the Border Watch ‘Private Arthur Bonshor, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Bonshor, of Millicent North, is a war casualty. During a wrestling match abroad he sustained a broken ankle.’ Certainly not the injury for desert conditions of dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment.
Once in the Middle East Arty again re-joined the 2/48th in November ’41 having had time with the 9th Australian Special group. A promotion to Acting Corporal followed in June ’42. Unfortunately, with the desert conditions, Arty contracted a high fever (PUO) then an upper respiratory tract infection causing him to be hospitalised in June that year and inevitably reverting to being a Private. Two months later in August he was promoted to Sergeant followed quickly to Lance Sergeant by the end of the month.
On the 25th October ’42 during the intense fight for Trig 29, meticulous arrangements were being made. John Glenn in his book Tobruk to Tarakan described that ‘mines, wire, ammunition, food, water, overhead cover, sandbags, tools, anti-tank guns and all the rest’ were part of the preparation. He added ‘And while all this was being done the battalion was subjected to murderous fire from artillery and mortars. It says much for the battle-drill of the battalion and supporting arms that everything worked out smoothly, going off without a hitch.’ With some of the enemy moving forward into dead ground and couldn’t be reached by the artillery, ‘Sergeant Bonshor of the Mortar Platoon attached to D Company then brought his mortars into action and succeeded in stopping the attack.’
Arty’s time in the Middle East eventually ended as he returned to Australia via Melbourne in February ’43. His immediate reaction was to wire his parents announcing his arrival. He has spent, two years on active service overseas. A quite unique group of local Singers, the Millicent War Savings Group named "Be Happy, Keep Fit, Win-the War" which met weekly, were delighted to welcome Sergeant Arthur Bonshor and other men of the A.I.F. who were home on leave.
In the meantime, Arty’s sister, Beryl was serving with the W.A.A.A.F., which younger Elma also passed the test to join. Unfortunately, she was unable to obtain permission from the manpower authorities to leave her employment to join.
Arty’s brief leave was then followed by training in Queensland in preparation to face a totally different enemy in the tropical conditions of New Guinea. Almost immediately on arrival, Arty was promoted to Sergeant and detached for Special Duties as part of an Advanced Party. He was, however, briefly able to re-join the 2/48th until he contracted malaria again and was hospitalised. With his typically high school academic record, Arty successfully completed a course at Training School with an overall pass of 81.25%. Of interest is the comment on his report dated 15th November ‘44 about his keen, alert and pleasant personality and particularly that he was “An excellent student, worked well, eager to gain knowledge. Given the opportunity, the students has distinct possibilities.” Arty then headed back overseas to Tarakan. By February ’44, the South Eastern Times reported that ‘Many members of the A.I.F. serving in battle areas have advised their relatives that they are coming home on leave. Amongst' those who have already arrived at Millicent are Sergeant A. Bonshor, and Privates Malcolm Sutherland and Gerald Bellinger.’ All three had enlisted together, been farewelled together and served in the 2/48th together.
By October ‘45, Arty left Tarakan on the Manoora, heading back to Australia via Queensland, before finally being discharged on the 3rd December that year. He had served for five years. A huge Welcome Home celebration of over 250 people was organised for the twenty service personnel at the Millicent Institute Hall just prior to Christmas. Music, singing, skits and speeches ensued. Unfortunately, an apology was received from Sergt. Arthur Bonshor. Mention was made of the people at home helped by keeping those fighting in the theatres of war, supplied with munitions and personal comforts. An additional sense of pride was that Millicent had received nine war loan pennants. A warm tribute was also paid to the Australian Red Cross and the Comforts Fund Organisations including the Country Women's Association. One of the glad days in the lives of servicemen was when such comforts as tobacco, soap, tooth paste, Christmas puddings, and the like arrived.
Post war, Arty became involved as a director with the establishment of Mayurra Pines Company to plant and cultivate trees, principally Radiata Pines over 200 acres, with fencing of the area commencing in late 1948.
Arthur remained a bachelor and died aged 88 on the 18th May 2002. He was buried in the Millicent Cemetery as were his parents.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion