William Bonnington
1911 - he was a warehouseman.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
William Bonnington was born in 1888 at Hucknall and was the son of John, a coal miner, and Ann Bonnington (née Clifton) of Hucknall.
His father John was born in Hucknall in 1837 and his mother Ann Clifton was born in 1839 at Greasley. They had the following children, John b1872, Elizabeth b1875, Sarah Ann b1877 and William b188, who were all were born in Hucknall.
William married Florence Short (born 24 September 1886) on 9 May 1909 at the Wesleyan Reform Church, Hucknall Torkard and had two children, Elsie May born 6 October 1909 and William Stanley born 12 August 1911.
At the time of the 1911 census the family was living at 25 Seldon Place, Beaumont Street: William 23y, a warehouse man, Florence 24y and their daughter Elsie May 1y. Their son William was born later that year
According to a newspaper report of William's funeral in July 1915, his family was living on South Street, Hucknall.
William's mother, Ann, died in 1918.
Following his death his widow Florence was awarded a pension of 18 shillings and 6 pence a week for herself and her two children, first payment 10 January 1916.
Florence married Levi Rigley in 1920; they lived at 16 Brook Street, Hucknall Torkard, Nottinghamshire.
Gunner William Bonnington enlisted in Nottingham on 8 December 1914. He was aged 27y 7m, occupation machine repairer. William lived at 25 Seldon Place, Beaumont Street, Hucknall Torkard, and named his wife Florence of the same address as his next of kin.
William joined the Royal Garrison Artillery at Newhaven on 12 December 1914 and on
2 July 1915 was released from military duties for employment at the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich.
He was admitted on 11 July 1915 to the Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich, where he died the following day. An inquest was held on 15 July and coroner gave the cause of death as cirrhosis of the liver, kidney and spleen and pulmonary congestion.
William was was given a military funeral and was buried in Hucknall St Mary Magdaelene churchyard on 17 July 1915.
CWGC Additional information: Husband of Florence Rigby (formerly Bonnington) of 16, Brook St., Hucknall, Born at Hucknall.
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Tho' death divides fond memories cling'
Gunner William ‘Billy’ Bonnington, Royal Garrison Artillery, who died on 12 July 1915 and was buried in the parish church graveyard in Hucknall was given a moving tribute from his former comrades:
Hucknall Dispatch, 22 July 1915: 'A SOLDIER’S FUNERAL. HUCKNALL MAN’S SUDDEN DEATH AT WOOLWICH.
'As reported in our last issue, the death occurred at Woolwich Hospital last week of Gunner W. Bonnington, who enlisted in Nottingham (where he was residing) last December [1914] in the Royal Garrison Artillery. He had just completed his training and was put on active service in the garrison at Woolwich.
'He had only been there three days, when he was taken ill and removed to the hospital, where he died shortly afterwards, rendering it necessary to hold a post mortem on the body, which did not reach Hucknall (his native place) until Friday afternoon. [16th July 1915]
'The funeral took place from the home of Mrs. Bonnington (where he was brought up) in South street on Saturday, [17th July 1915] a military escort attending from Bulwell Hall, numbering 24 of the Mechanical Transport Service. The coffin was borne by soldiers to the Parish Church, where a most impressive service was conducted by the Rev. T.G. Barber, vicar. Afterwards the body was laid to rest on the south side of the church, almost under the shadow of the home where he was brought up. A few beautiful floral tributes bedecked the coffin, and then the mourners wended their way to the little home in South-street, headed by the widow (with a boy, aged four, and a girl, aged six, on either side of her). With the absence of clatter of home’s hoofs and funeral coaches there was a solemnity about that little procession one seldom sees in these days, and many hearts were touched by the scene.
'Gunner W. Bonnington was 28 years of age, and was well-known and respected by a wide circle of friends in Hucknall. The same may also truthfully be said of his workmates in Nottingham who sent a wreath to convey their grief at the loss of a respected comrade. The wording was as follows:-
'Who plucked this tender flower?' said the gardener.
'I', said the Master.
The gardener held his peace.
'Dear Billy – We Sneinton friends offer this wreath as a sincere tribute of respect we have and always will have of you. You were always a good lad. Farewell.'
Above courtesy of Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
William Bonnington
Buried in Hucknall Torkard (St Mary Magdalene and All Saints) Churchyard.
Photo by Murray Biddle
William Bonnington
Photograph published on 22nd July 1915 in the Hucknall Dispatch and is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Huckall 1914-1918