- Charles George Bonner
-
Charles George Bonner Born 29 December 1884
Shuttington, WarwickshireDied 7 February 1951
Edinburgh, ScotlandAllegiance United Kingdom Service/branch Royal Navy Rank Captain Unit HMS Dunraven Battles/wars World War I Awards Victoria Cross
Distinguished Service CrossOther work Marine salvage expert Captain Charles George Bonner VC DSC (29 December 1884 – 7 February 1951) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He was 32 years old, and a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 8 August 1917 in the Bay of Biscay, Atlantic, Lieutenant Bonner was with HMS Dunraven (one of the 'Q' or 'mystery' ships playing the part of an unobservant merchantman) when she was shelled by an enemy submarine. The lieutenant was in the thick of the fighting and throughout the whole of the action his pluck and determination had a considerable influence on the crew. (See also Ernest Herbert Pitcher)
He later achieved the rank of captain.
Memorials
In November 2007, a commemorative plaque to Captain Bonner was unveiled in Aldridge, West Midlands, and an annual parade is held every year to honour his life and achievement. In December 2009, a memorial plaque to Bonner and two other recipients of the Victoria Cross, James Thompson and John Henry Carless, was unveiled at the Town Hall in Walsall, England.[1]
References
- ^ Lloyd, Matt (30 December 2009). "Black Country Victoria Cross winners are honoured". Birmingham Mail. http://www.birminghammail.net/news/black-country/black-country-news/2009/12/30/black-country-victoria-cross-winners-are-honoured-97319-25489033/. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - The Naval VCs (Stephen Snelling, 2002)
External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Staffordshire)
Categories:- 1884 births
- 1951 deaths
- British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
- Royal Navy recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Royal Navy officers of World War I
- People from North Warwickshire (district)
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.