Forenames

Harry Arnold AWMM

Surname

Bonniface AWMM

Service number

• NZ402669 AWMM
• WWII 402669 AWMM

Gender

Male AWMM

Birth

19 Apr 1896 RNZAF Biographies (R17845608)

Date of birth

b. 1896

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 22 June 2023 - NZ BDM Birth Records

Place of birth

Christchurch

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 22 June 2023 - NZ BDM Birth Records

Birth notes

Son of Edward and Hannah Vera Bonniface of Christchurc

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 22 June 2023 - https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/harry-arnold-bonniface

Next of kin

• Mrs T. Bonniface, Kaiti, Gisborne, New Zealand AWMM
• WW2 Widow: Mrs. T. Bonniface of Gisborne AWMM

Relationship status

• Married/WWII AWMM
• Husband of Theresa Bonniface, of Gisborne.
  Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 22 June 2023 - https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/harry-arnold-bonniface

War

World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM

Armed force / branch

Air Force AWMM

Service number

• NZ402669 AWMM
• WWII 402669 AWMM

Medical notes

Killed on Active Service, Cause of Death AWMM

Last rank

Flight Sergeant/Military AWMM
Royal New Zealand Air Force, Air Department AWMM

Harry Bonniface was the son of Edward and Hannah Vera Bonniface of Christchurch. He was the husband of Theresa Bonniface of Gisborne. Harry's son, Robert John Bonniface, also served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force and died on active service on 8 May 1944. AWMM

Death

3 Aug 1944 AWMM
Age  48 AWMM

Cause of death

Killed on Active Service AWMM

Cemetery

Taruheru Cemetery, Nelson Road, Gisborne District, New Zealand AWMM 166.13 AWMM

Obituary

"FLT.-SGT. H. BONNIFACE After 10 months in hospital as the result of severe back injuries received in an accident in Ashburton, the death of Flight Sergeant Harry Arnold Bonniface occurred at the Cook Hospital yesterday. Forty-eight years of age, Flight Sergeant Bonniface was born in Christchurch and was married there to Miss Theresa Hislop at the age of 21. He enlisted in the last war and served overseas with an artillery regiment. On his return to New Zealand he came to Gisborne and was employed by the Waikohu County Council up to the early stages of the present war, when he volunteered for the air force. Deep sympathy will be extended to his widow, three sons, Mr. R. Bonniface, serving with the air force in New Zealand, and Messrs. Rex and Harry Bonniface, both of Gisborne, and three daughters, Mrs. J. Breingan, Gisborne, Miss H. Bonniface, air force, and Miss Betty Bonniface, Gisborne. Following a service in Cochrane's chapel, William street, at 2.15 p.m. tomorrow. the interment will take place at the Soldiers’ Plot at the Taruheru cemetery

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 22 June 2023 - Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21475, 5 August 1944, Page 4

Memorial name

• Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 2 Hall of Memories AWMM
• Gisborne First World War Memorial, The Esplanade, Kaiti, Gisborne AWMM

Related objects

Related Serviceperson

External links

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
  https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2920005
  Sources Used
• RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Bo - Cl. Archives New Zealand (R17845608)
  https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R17845608
  Sources Used

References

• Martyn, E. (1998-2008). For Your Tomorrow (Vols. 1-3). Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press.
• RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Bo - Cl. Archives New Zealand (R17845608) - Former archives reference: AIR118
• Please note that the 11 volumes of the "RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939-1945" held at Archives NZ (formerly known as AIR118) should be used in conjunction with Errol Martyn's "For Your Tomorrow". FYT reflects detailed examination of all of the AIR118 bios which contain many inaccuracies and omissions.
• Auckland Museum. Roll of Honour, Auckland Province, 1939 - 1945. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 93/139.