Peter Bonner
(1943 - 1966)

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General Details

Name:	Mr Peter Bonner
Gender:	Male
Age:	22 years old
Lived:	Tuesday, 24 August 1943 - Wednesday, 2 February 1966

My Story

Peter William Bonner was born 22 Augus 1943, in Johannesburg South Africia. His family moved to New Zealand in 1953. He was one of 4 boys.

I met Peter on the Limited Auckland to Wellington train, in December 1964. He was travelling back to Waiouru from leave. M girlfriend and I were going on holiday to Christchurch. We swapped addresses. We wrote for a while. I went to his 21st in Mount Maunganui. I don't think his mother liked me but his father and I got on real well. Then he decided to go to Malaya for the emergency there. In November 1965. He left for Malaya. I gave him a travel clock and a picture, so he wouldn't forget me. His father Robert died a few weeks after he left, which must have been hard for him. We wrote a few letters, then he must have been too busy with someone else, because he never wrote again. Afew months later I received a parcel and a beautifully written letter from his mother informing me that Peter had died in an accident in Terendak Camp, Malaya. At 19 this didn't really sink in, except I lost my soldier.
I did think about him off and on over the years until 2002. I was in the Waiouru Museum and I started getting messages in my head. Peter was asking me to do things. I sent out letters to all the Bonner's listed in he Bay of Plenty and one lady name Joyce wrote back. She was Peter's sister-in-law. Her husband was Peter's older brother, had died and the 2 remaining brothers had died, like Peter in accidents. Poor mother was left without her 4 sons or husband.

I helped Joyce get a Pinjat medal for Peter, and I know 'he' was happy with that. I asked my mother what he looked like because I didn't have a picture of him. She said he was 'nice, loud, with brown hair. I have joined te Malayan Vets in Manurewa in hopes of getting a photo. I got his grave photo from Commonwealth graves.

I feel that when I wear Peter's medal tomorrow (ANZAC Day in New Zealand 2009) and have included a small picture of his grave on the Dawn Service programmes, Peter will be there in Pukekohe with us.
Peter you have not been forgotten. You may not have died as a hero in the emergency but you died in service and are buried in a Commonwealth Cemetry there in Terendak. You are on the Linton Roll of Honour board for 1RNZIR. I left a poppy there and on the Auckland War Memorial Hall of Tears board.
You will not be forgotten.
Love from me
xxxxxxxxxx

Latest Tributes

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From: DianeCraw

You are coming back to New Zealand at last soon. How do you feel about that? Its something you want and its going to ...

From: DianeCraw

Love from Me xxxxxx

Biography

Fathers Name:	Robert Bonner
Mothers Name:	Edith Spooner
Country of Birth:	South Africa
Country of Residence:	New Zealand
City of Residence:	Raglan
Occupation:	Other
Marital Status:	Single
Religion:	Anglican

Interests

Passing

Place of Passing:	Terendak Camp, Malaysia
Date of Passing:	2 February 1966
Cause of Passing:	Head wounds
Type of Funeral:	Burial
Place of Burial:	Terendak Camp
Funeral Location:	Malaysia
Funeral Date:	4 February 1966

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Online Memorial

Peter Bonner (1943 - 1966)