Pelton Cemetery
Hartlepool Daily Mail Thursday 22/081918
102256 Private
R. Bonney
Durham Light Infantry
24th July 1918 Age 30.
Richard was born on the 1st December 1887, at East Terrace Birtley, he was the eldest boy of eleven children, with only seven children surviving, to John Bonney, [born at 2 Wash House, Birtley, January 1981, died 1935], and his wife Jane Lee, [born Dipton, 1865 died 1926], they had married in 1884.
John Bonney's parents were Richard and Hannah Bonney from High Row in Birtley. John was one of 9 children.
The other children were William, born East Terrace, Birtley in 1892, died 1917, Thomas born 1895, died 1918, Margaret born October 1897, James born January 1903, died 1922, Ralph Winn born 13th March 1904, died 1977, Annie born 1886 and Jane born 1882 died 1898.
By 1901 the family had moved to 10 Nicholson Terrace, Beamish, Durham.
In 1911 they were all residing at 200, Ouston Square, Birtley.
Richard was working for the Birtley Iron company when he attested. He was a Miner, and was 28 years 52 days old when he signed up on the 22nd January 1916, for the Duration of the War. Richard was 5 feet 3 and a half inches tall, blue eyes, fresh complexion, 112lbs, Church of England. He was examined at Chester-le-Street on the 22nd May 1918 for a Medical Inspection. Classed Category 'A'.
Richard was mobilised into the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry on the 11th July 1918, private with the service number 102256, then located at Seaham Harbour.
Richard was found hanged by the neck at Shiphouse, Clump Wood, Near Fatfield. He was last seen alive on the 24th July 1918. He had been home on leave.
There is a letter from Inspector W.D. Barlow, based at Chester-le-Street, 05/09/1918, to the O. C. 4th (Res) Battalion DLI, which reads: With reference to your communication of the 31st. ult regarding the above named soldier. I respectfully beg to inform you that on the 20th August 1918 the dead body of this man was found hanging from a tree in Shiphouse, Clump Wood, Nr Fatfield. The body was in an advanced state of decomposition and appeared to have been there about a month.
On the 22nd August 1918. H.M. Coroner Graham, held an inquest on the body and after hearing the evidence the following verdict was returned:- 'Deceased committed suicide whilst of Unsound Mind'. Pte Bonney was last seen alive on the 24th July last. His uniform has been taken away from his parents house at 200 Ouston Square, and is now at the Police Station. Ouston, would you kindly say where it should be sent to.
Your obedient servant (signed) W. D. Barlow, Inspector'.
There was also a query from the War Office based then at Winchester House, St James's Square, London, S.W.1. enquiring where Richard Bonney was buried. The reply from the No 1 Infantry Records York replied stating he is in Grave 279, Section 'D' in Pelton Parish Church. No memorial then was erected.
Richard had left Army personal effects of £2 7s 8d to his father.
Richard also had 2 brothers who served in WW1, Thomas Bonney and William Bonney
Acknowledgements: Steve Smith
Richard Bonney is remembered at Durham in D47.013c page 192.
