| Bonus | William John | | Major | BONUS WILLIAM JOHN, Major, was born 9 July 1802, son of Major General Joseph Bonus, KP He was educated at Harrow and Sandhurst; was gazetted to the Dorsetshire Regiment, as Lieutenant, 9 September 1882. He served in India and Egypt. He became Captain 21 June, 1890; was ADC in 1890; DAAG, Scottish District, 23 July 1895, to 23 November 1899, and was promoted Major 30 April, 1899. He served in the South African War, from 1899 to 1902, with the Dorsetshire Regiment in Natal until the Relief of Ladysmith, being present at the operations to 24 January 1900, and at the action of Spion Kop; operations of 5 to 7 February 1900, and action at Yaal Kranz; operations on Tugela Heights (14 to 27 February 1900), and action at Pieter's Hill. He was DAAG, 4th Division, 22 March, 1900, to 11 December 1902, and took part in the operations in Natal (March to June, 1900), taking part in the operations in Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June); operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including actions at Reit Vlei, Belfast (20 and 27 August); Lydenberg (6 to 8 September) and Rhenoster Kop. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February 1901 ]; received the Queen's Medal and five clasps; King's Medal and two clasps. At the Battle of Spion Kop, when acting as Brigade Major, Major Bonus "found it necessary to go up and remain in the tiring line. He took a party round the Boer flank and enfiladed it, all the other members of the party—officers and men—being killed". It was especially for his services on this occasion that he was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "William John Bonus, Major, Dorsetshire Regiment. In recognition of services during the recent operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented to him by the Duke of Cornwall and York, in South Africa, 14 August 1901. He was DAAG, Belfast District, 29 January 1903, to 7 March, 1904; became Lieutenant Colonel 25 October 1900; commanded the Dorsetshire Regiment from 1906 to 1910; was given the Brevet of Colonel 25 October 1909. and retired with the rank of Colonel 16 December 1911. He served as AQMG, Scottish District, 4 August 1914, to July 1916, and subsequently in other capacities (he was Cable Censor from January 1917) until Peace was proclaimed in 1919.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Dorsetshire Regiment |
