Fred William Bonser

1/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) The Battalion had moved to Foncquevillers on 18 June, taking over 'part of the left sub-sector' from the 5th Lincolns. A violent thunderstorm on the 23rd left the Battalion with a great deal of work to drain and repair the trenches which were filled to a depth of two feet with mud and water. In advance of the British forces anticipated attack on the enemy, there then began an artillery bombardment lasting six days which, unsurprisingly, caused 'a certain amount of retaliation which added to our trouble.' The history of the Battalion recorded an increase in casualties in the front line trenches but on 27 June, the date of Alma's death, the Battalion was relieved by the Regiment's 5th Battalion and moved back to Pommier. The Battalion suffered 17 casualties between 3 and 27 June, including two on 27th, Bonser and L/Cpl AA Grant. ('The Sherwood Foresters in the Great War 1914-1919, 1/8th Battalion', Captain WCC Weetman MC CdeG). Fred William was buried in Foncquevillers Military Cemetery, France (grave ref. I.F.19). Lance Corporal Grant was also buried in the same cemetery (grave ref. I.F.22. See record on this Roll of Honour). CWGC - History of Foncquevillers Military Cemetery (extract): The village of Foncquevillers is about 18km from the town of Arras. 'In 1915 and 1916 the Allied front line ran between Foncquevillers and Gommecourt. The cemetery was begun by French troops, and taken over by Commonweatlh forces. It remained in use by units and field ambulances until March 1917, the burials in July 1916 (particularly in Plot I, Row L) being especially numerous. The cemetery was used again from March to August 1918, when the German offensive brought the front line back to nearly the old position. Seventy-four graves were brought in after the Armistice from the battlefields of 1916 and 1918 to the east of the village.' (www.cwgc.org)

CWGC: Son of Hannah Jane Bonser, of 4, Duke St., Bulwell, Nottingham. CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Deeply mourned by mother and sisters'