Charles Alfred Bunn
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- Military History
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Charles Alfred Bunn was born on 13th August 1893 at North Collingham and was the son of James a land agent's assistant and Mary Bunn née Bealby of 30, Carolgate, Retford. His father James was born in 1864 at Lincoln and his mother Mary Bealby was born in 1867 at South Collingham. They were married in 1890 (Southwell Registration District) and went on to have the following children, Gladys Mary b1892, Charles Alfred b1894, Margaret Alice b1897, Louisa b1898, Edith b1900, Dorothy Ann b1902 and Marjorie b1904. All the children were born in North Collingham. In the 1911 census the family was living at High Street, North Collingham, and shown as James 47 yrs a land agent's assistant, his wife Mary 44 yrs and their children, Gladys Mary 19 yrs, working in house, Charles Alfred 17 yrs no occupation stated, Margaret Alice 14 yrs and Louisa 13 yrs who were both scholars, Dorothy Ann 9 yrs and Marjorie 7 yrs. Charles later lived with an aunt, Mrs. W. Rudd, of Church Street, Warsop. The CWGC record gave his parents' address as 30 Carolgate, Retford, Nottinghamshire.
2nd Bn. Royal Marines Light Infantry. Charles Alfred Bunn enlisted at Warsop on 5th September 1914. He served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Marines Light Infantry. He was with the battalion in the Dardanelles from March 1915 and was reported missing after an action on 11 July but later reported wounded. He was later transferred to Egypt suffering from dysentry. Charles was still receiving hospital treatment in Cairo when the troops withdrew from Gallipoli in January 1916. The battalion transferred to France where Charles served from March 1916. He was fatally wounded and died at a casualty clearing station on 17th November 1916. He is buried in Puchevillers British Cemetery, Somme, France (grave ref. 6.B.25). Bunn was one of 'Kitchener's Marines' who were transferred from the Sherwood Foresters to the RMLI. Des Turner notes '600 RMLI transfers came from 2 regiments - 200 from the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) and 400 from the Sherwood Foresters. They were predominantly ex-miners and labourers, fit men wanted for their ability to dig trenches and tunnels. The 200 KOYLI recruits were transferred to Plymouth Division RMLI and were given service numbers PLY/1(S) to PLY200(S). This was also the case for the Sherwood Foresters 200 who were dispatched to Portsmouth where already 30 men were recruited and so they became PO/31(S) to PO/230(S). 200 remaining Foresters went to Chatham and were numbered CH/1 to CH/200(S).'
CWGC: 'Son of James and Mary Bunn, of 30, Carolgate, Retford, Notts. Native of North Collingham, Notts.' CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'The Lord knoweth them that are his' (Timothy 2:19 KJV) Mansfield Reporter, 25 September 1914: ‘Warsop Roll of Honour. The following Warsop men are now with the Colours … A Bunn.’ (www.britishnewspaperachive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, 30 July 1915: Warsop - ‘News from the Dardanelles … A letter to Mr Tinsley [Warsop Conservative Club], dated the 28th July, from Mr J Bunn, of North Collingham, Newark, states that he had just received an official communication that his son, Alfred, was reported missing after the action on the 11th inst., in the Gallipoli Peninsula. Private Bunn, although not a native of Warsop, had resided here previous to his enlistment, for some time. He, too, was well known and esteemed. He enlisted at the same time as Lance-Corpl. Hollingsworth, in the Royal Marines. [Joseph Hollingsworth RMLI KIA 13 July 1915].’ (www.britishnewspaperachive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter: 6 August 1915. 'Warsop. Wounded not missing. A communication has been received this week to the effect that Pte Alfred Bunn, who was reported missing after an engagement in the Dardanelles on the 13th July, is in hospital with a bullet wound in his thigh.’ (www.britishnewspaperachive.co.uk) Report published in the Newark Advertiser 15th November 1916 :- 'Pte Royal Marines Light Infantry. Of Collingham. Only son of Mr & Mrs J. Bunn, North Collingham. A native of Collingham and a member of the gymnastic club, swimming club and cricket club. When war broke out was working as a fitter at New Hucknall Colliery, Warsop. Almost immediately joined Royal Marines Light Infantry, but before being accepted, underwent an operation. Departed for Dardanelles in March 1915. Slightly wounded on June 15th, he later suffered from dysentery and was in hospital in Cairo at the time of the withdrawal. In March 1916 proceeded to France. Received a gunshot wound to the abdomen on Nov. 13th, dying in hospital at noon on the 18th (sic).' Report published 1st December 1916 in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times :- “News has been received that Private Alfred Bunn, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Bunn, of Collingham, Newark, has died from wounds received in action. Private Bunn enlisted early in the war, about September, 1914, and was drafted in to the Royal Marines. He was well known in Warsop, having worked there for several years. He was a nephew of Mrs. W. Rudd, Church-street, with whom the deceased soldier lived. The sister-in-charge of the casualty clearing station, writes “that Pte. Bunn passed peacefully away on Friday, the 17th inst. He had a terrible wound in the abdomen, and was conscious up to the last, but was far too ill to know that he would not get better. He is buried in the British Cemetery, and his grave is marked with a wooden cross, bearing his name, number, regiment, and date of death.” Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Mansfield Reporter, 9 March 1917: 'Warsop Conservative Club [AGM]. Secretary’s report [Mr G H Tinsley] ‘We have lost two respected members through death, Corporal [sic] A Bunn, who died fighting for his King and country.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
