Name
Hugh Octavius Bonaker
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
18329
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Mounted Rifles
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Hugh Bonaker was not recorded in the records for Abbots Langley. He and his brother Charles Bonaker were discovered when researching their brother William Bonaker. Hugh was born in the autumn of 1884 at Abbots Langley. He was one of eight children born to John and Louisa Bonaker. His brothers William and Charles both served in the Great War. In the 1881 Census the family was recorded living at Temple Villas at Abbots Langley. John Bonaker worked as a Saddler. By the time of the 1891 Census the family had moved to Adrian Road, and John’s occupation was given as a Harness Maker.
In the 1911 Census John Bonaker was registered as the Collector of Government Taxes and Registrar of Births and Deaths, and Hugh was listed as his Assistant. At this time the family was living at the High Road (probably Street), Abbots Langley, near to Causeway House.
The UK Outward Passenger Lists noted that Hugh emigrated to New Zealand aboard SS “Corinthic” on 19th August 1910, sailing from London to Wellington. His brother Charles also emigrated to New Zealand around this time, and may have accompanied him on the voyage. At some point Hugh returned to the UK, and was recorded returning to New Zealand on 9th November 1911, this time aboard the SS “Arawa”, bound for Wellington from London. It is interesting to note that his sister Alice, sailed to Wellington a month later on 7th December 1911 aboard the SS “Tainui”. Alice returned to the UK in 1914, arriving at Plymouth on 4th July aboard the SS “Corinthic”.
At some point Hugh enlisted with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and returned to the UK aboard HMNZT “Moetaki”, leaving Wellington on 14th December 1916. Hugh served as a Corporal Saddler with the Mounted Rifles. He gave the name of C.H. Bonaker, his brother, who at the time was living at Patetere, near Hamilton, North Island, as his next of kin.
Hugh survived the War and returned to New Zealand to live at Patea, near Taranaki. His brother Charles also survived the War, and returned to the southern hemisphere, but this time to live in Australia. His brother William served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and was taken prisoner at the siege of Kut, in Mesopotamia. He subsequently died in a Turkish Prisoner of War camp in Baghdad on30th December 1916.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
