Duncan Cenotaph
As part of our project to document the names on the Duncan Cenotaph in Charles Hoey Park, here is a page about Private Benjamin Bonsall, who died 28 January 1918 while serving with the 54th Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force. He is buried in Villers Station Cemetery, Villers-Au-Bois, France
Here is the local Cowichan Leader newspaper report of the death of Private Benjamin Bonsall:
“Pte. B. Bonsall
It is with deep regret we record the death in action on January 28th last of Pte. Benjamin Bonsall, of Westholme. Born 25 years ago he grew up on the farm and worked there until he enlisted with the 67th Bn. (Western Scots) September 3rd, 1915. He went overseas in the following April and soon afterwards was transferred to a Kootenay battalion, with which he was serving when he fell. He was the 5th son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bonsall. he leaves six brothers, Thomas H., Westholme; Fred, who left with the 48th Bn. and is now with a Tramway Corps in France; Samuel, Westholme; Leonard, Duncan; Harold and Stanley, at home; and eight sisters Mrs. Bond and Mrs. Work, Chemainus; Miss Bessie, Resthaven Convalescent home; Miss Vera, Chemainus; Miss Marjorie, Quamichan school; Lizzie, Dollie and Thelma, at home.”
(Source: Cowichan Leader, 14 February 1918, from Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives files)
Here are links to pages with more information about Benjamin Bonsall:
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