Robert John Bonniface

Forenames

Robert John AWMM

Surname

Bonniface AWMM

Service number

• NZ4311033 AWMM
• WWII 4311033 AWMM

Gender

Male AWMM

Birth

25 May 1924 RNZAF Biographies (R17845608)

Date of birth

b. 1924

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

Place of birth

Auckland

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

Birth notes

Son of Harry Arnold and Theresa Bonniface of Gisborne

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

Next of kin

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

Relationship status

• Single/WWII AWMM
• Single
  Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 22 June 2023 - https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/robert-john-bonniface

War

World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM

Armed force / branch

Air Force AWMM

Service number

• NZ4311033 AWMM
• WWII 4311033 AWMM

Medical notes

Died from Natural Causes, Cause of Death AWMM
Died on active service AWMM

Last rank

Leading Aircraftman/Military AWMM
Royal New Zealand Air Force, Operational Training Unit AWMM

Robert Bonniface was the son of Flight Sergeant Harry Arnold Bonniface who died on active service 3 August 1944. His mother was Theresa Bonniface.

New Zealand Herald reported on 14 May 1945 that Robert Bonniface died of natural causes. AWMM

Death

8 May 1945 AWMM
Age  21 AWMM

Cause of death

Died from Natural Causes AWMM

Cemetery

Taruheru Cemetery, Nelson Road, Gisborne District, New Zealand AWMM 11.13 AWMM

Obituary

A.C.I R. J. BONNIFACE The sudden death is reported of Aircraftman I Robert John Bonniface. at the age of 21. Aircraftman Bonniface had only recently completed leave in Gisborne. Deep sympathy will be extended to his mother, sisters and brothers in their bereavement. Aircraftman Bonniface was born in Auckland and as a child came to Gisborne with his parents. He received his education at the Kaiti and Rakauroa schools, later taking up farming, in which occupation he was engaged when entering service with the army. He remained in the army some time before transferring to the air force. His father. Flight-Sergeant H. Bonniface, died last year from injuries received in a street accident. To mourn their loss he leaves his mother, two brothers, Messrs. Rex and Harry Bcrmiface, Gisborne, and three sisters, Mrs. J. Breingan, Miss Heather Bonniface, a member of the W.A.A.F., and Miss Betty Bonniface, Gisborne. Following the service in Cochrane’s chapel, William street, at 11 a.m. today, the funeral will leave for the soldiers’ plot at the Taruheru cemetery.

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 22 June 2023 - GISBORNE HERALD, VOLUME LXXII, ISSUE 21709, 10 MAY 1945, PAGE 3

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/2920006
  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.