Charles George Bonner Explained

Charles George Bonner
Birth Date:29 December 1884
Birth Place:Shuttington, Warwickshire
Death Place:Edinburgh, Scotland
Allegiance: United Kingdom
Rank:Captain
Battles:First World War
Awards:Victoria Cross
Distinguished Service Cross
Laterwork:Marine salvage expert

Charles George Bonner (29 December 1884 – 7 February 1951) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

On 8 August 1917 in the Bay of Biscay, Atlantic, Lieutenant Bonner, now a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve, was with (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. For his actions, Bonner was awarded the Victoria Cross. Ernest Herbert Pitcher also received the Victoria Cross for his involvement.

He later achieved the rank of captain in the Merchant Navy.

Memorials

Bonner, who died at home in Edinburgh in 1951 aged 66, was cremated at Warriston Crematorium. His ashes were buried in St Mary's Churchyard, Aldridge, his birthplace, in the West Midlands.

In November 2007, a commemorative plaque to Captain Bonner was unveiled in Aldridge, where his life, bravery and achievements are specifically celebrated in the annual Remembrance Day parade.

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

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Black Country Victoria Cross winners are honoured. Matt. Lloyd. Birmingham Mail. 30 December 2009. 31 December 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120923180121/http://www.birminghammail.net/news/black-country/black-country-news/2009/12/30/black-country-victoria-cross-winners-are-honoured-97319-25489033/. 23 September 2012.