Back in 2014, when I was just starting my journey into professional research, Family History WA (then known as Western Australia Genealogy Society) advised they were aware of three bibles in members’ possession that they were trying to return to the relevant families, and asking if anyone had information that could help.
One of the three was a small bible covered in black hide, found by WAGS member Lyn Watt among her late mother’s possessions. Lyn knew there was no connection between the bible and her own family, and asked the society for help tracking down where it belonged. Inside the front cover was the following inscription:
5.3.16
To Dear Mr Bonsey from Eain Marshall
May God’s blessings be with you wherever you go
May God watch over you day by day and send you safely back to your loved one.
Also tucked inside the bible was a faded newspaper cutting, an In Memoriam notice that read: “Bonsey – In loving memory of my dear husband, who was killed in France on November 5, 1916.”
I decided to take up the challenge and investigate the origins of this bible to try and uncover the story and hopefully find a family to return it to.
My research uncovered that William’s wife had published a memoriam notice every year for fifteen years following his death.[1] A search at the National Archives of Australia turned up his military file, revealing his full name: William Hollington Bonsey. His next of kin was recorded as his wife, Jessie, and further research into their marriage record showed her maiden name was Doyle.
His service file showed William, was an artesian bore driller from West Perth. He sailed from Fremantle on 1 April 1916 aboard the HMAT Ulysses, bound for Egypt and then the Western Front. He was part of the 28th Battallion and was killed in action on the Somme, sometime between 3 and 6 November 1916, and was posted as missing for six months. [2] There were two statements in the Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau files from fellow soldiers, one who was beside him when he was hit, giving a firsthand account of his final hours, with his death then being confirmed as the 5 November 2016.[3] William’s death was formally reported in the 301st Casualty List, published in the West Australian newspaper on 21 May 1917.
(Photo by Misty – Find A grave website).
The file also stated that William Bonsey was buried in “The Maze” and “Blue Cut”, Reg Map Guidecourt 1/10.000.m.18.C.
Further research confirmed that William was born in Birmingham, England, and that he and Jessie had no children.[4] In fact, I couldn’t find any immediate family in Western Australia, or even in Australia. Jessie’s headstone was erected by a friend. By building William’s family tree, I discovered he had a brother, Arthur, who did have children, at least two daughters. With their names in hand, I located a family tree on Ancestry.com and contacted the owner. Jack Hanlon responded, explaining he was the great-nephew of William Bonsey. Jack, then 84 years old, said his family had only ever been told that William had gone to Australia and was never heard of again. It seemed likely his family in England never learned that he had died in the war, which explained why there had been no contact.
As to how the bible ended up in Lyn Watt’s family, we may never know. I can only surmise that as William and Jessie Bonsey had no children, it is possible that the bible was passed to friends upon Jessie’s death and had then been passed down within that family. This part remains an unproven theory at this this stage.
Mr Bonsey’s bible was sent to his great-nephew, Jack Hanlon, in Florida, and arrived safely on Christmas Eve, 2014, almost a century after it was first given to William.
[1] NAA, Trove – searches of The West Australian.
[2] NAA, Bonsey, William Hollington, Serv 4076, POB Birmington England, POE Perth WA, NOK Bonsey Jessie, Series B2455, Control Symbol, Bonsey W H.
[3][3] Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau files, 1914-1918 War, 1DRL/0428, 4076 Private William Hollington Bonsey 28th Battalion.
[4] NAA, Bonsey, Jessie, beneficiary of Bonsey, William Hollington, Service Number 4076, Series PP13/1, Control Symbol C7880.