TROVE - BONGERS - On the 4th March, 1897, at her residence Myrtleford, Nth Fitzroy, to the wife of Rev. J. Bongers, a son, Frank Barton Bongers. Both doing well.
Frank was born in Victoria while his father Rev. John Bongers was service in a Victorian Parish. He then went to Tasmania for a couple of years, then up to Queensland. Frank's Army records say he went to State school in Ballaret, Victoria & Rockhampton in Queensland. He was a Bank Clerk in Commonwealth Bank when he enlisted. He was 18 years old, Single, & lived with his father Rev. John Bongers, at Owen St, off Mary St, Toowoomba, Qld. in 1915.
He Enlisted 9/10/1915, Private in 11th Infantry, #48. He was promoted to Corporal 42nd Battalion, A Company, Unit embarked from Sydney NSW on board HMAT A30 "Borda" on 5 june, 1915. He was shot on patrol by an enemy sniper, died instantly. Killed in Action on 14 February, 1917, near Armentieres, France. age 19yrs 11mths.. He was awarded - British War Medal & Victory Medal.
Memorial - Plot 1V.Row E. Grave 45 - Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France.
He is on Panel No.135, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial, Canberra.
Family/military connections - Brother, #21, Pte Arthur Clarke Bongers, 42nd Btn, returned to Australia, 29 August 1918.
Cemetery Records say his Parents John & Julia Bongers lived McQuarie St, Silkston, Queensland.
TROVE - Lance- Corporal Frank Barton Bongers, 3rd son of Rev. John Bongers, pastor of the Congregational Church, Toowoomba, has been killed in action on the Western Front. He was formerly a member of the staff of the Commonwealth Bank at Toowoomba, & enlisted in Sept. 1915, in the 42nd Battalion. On arrival in England he spent some five months at Salisbury Plains, undergoing further training before being transferred to he firing line in France. He went into action about the end of November last, & came through safely, but was killed on the 14th February. The Rev. John Bongers had just concluded a communion service at his church, when he heard of his son's death, & the news of the loss was more distressing as it was received on the 20th birthday of the gallant young soldier. The Rev. & Mrs. J. Bongers have another son at the Front - Private Arthur Clarke Bongers. (Brisbane Courier, Sat. 17 March, 1917, page 6.)
