John Alexander Bonnyman was born in South Shields, Durham on 27^th November 1887. Educated University College, and served an engineering apprenticeship with Smith’s Docks. In 1911 he was described as a Mechanical Engineer & Ship Repairer for the same company, and living in South Shields. At the outbreak of WW1 he was noted as qualified as a draughtsman and marine surveyor, and as a University Lecturer in Engineering. He was also Assistant Manager, Smiths Docks of Teeside & Tyneside. By now he was living in Llandaff, Cardiff. (He seems to have worked for the company alternating between South Shields and Cardiff although his family lived in Cardiff)

For some reason he travelled back from Cardiff to Newcastle - perhaps he had relatives living there - and enlisted as a private in the 9^th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers on 5^th September 1914, at nearly 27 years of age. His father is given as James Smith, 11 Howells Crescent, Llandaff, Cardiff.  However, on the 21^st December 1914, he was discharged from the Fusiliers as “not likely to become an efficient soldier”. Perhaps this was an administrative ploy, as four days earlier, on  17^th December, back in Cardiff, he had been commissioned into the 4^th T.F. Bn. Welsh regiment - strange indeed!

He was posted to the 24th (Glamorgan & Pembroke Yeomanry) Bn. Welsh Regiment, joining the 231^ST Brigade of the 74th Yeomanry Division in Palestine on 30th June 1917. He joined in time to take part in the Third Battle of Gaza 27 October - 7 November 1917, including the Capture of Beersheba on 31 October, and the capture of the Sheria Position on 6 November, the capture of Jerusalem 8 - 9 December 1917 and in the Defence of Jerusalem 27 - 30 December 1917.

"Having celebrated Christmas Day in Jerusalem, thoughts now turned to the immanent Turkish attack, and as a pre-emptive strike, on  Boxing Day night 1917, the 24^th Welsh attacked the Turkish positions on Hill 1910. The attack was fiercely opposed by the Turks, and  resulted in savage in hand to hand fighting. Before the Welsh had time to consolidate, a fierce Turkish counter-attack drove them back off the hill. However half an hour later the Welsh launched a second attack and re-captured the position. It is during this fighting that Bonnyman was probably wounded, as he was recorded as having gunshot wounds to face, and bomb (grenade) wounds to head and face on 27^th December. (worth checking the War Diary for further details)"

He was hospitalised and subsequently graded B1on 21^st March 1918. No doubt because of his engineering background, on 27^th July he was seconded to the RAF Engine Repair facility in Egypt as an acting Captain on administrative duties. On 30^th May 1919 he was transferred to the unemployed list.

On 12 September he relinquished his R.A.F. commission on re appointment to the Territorial Force., and was permitted to retain the  rank of Lieut. He served with 3rd Northamptonshire Bde. RFA as a Lt. with precedence as from 1st July 1917. Promoted to Captain 74^th Northampton Brigade RFA on 28^th July 1920.

After demobilisation he returned to his old position with Smith’s Docks, and lived at 2 Belgrave Tce, South Shields. He eventually returned to South Wales, living at Wood Cottage, Sketty, Swansea. His business address was 104, Bute Street, Cardiff (the Docks area). In 1929 he patented a design for “an improved cargo hatch cover”.

With two scrapbooks of original photos, documents and cuttings re: BEM and his service career pasted in  including: Queens letter re award, several photos of presentation of BEM by AVM Case,  portrait & group photos, telegrams, letters, invitations, dinner menus, newspaper cuttings, also cuttings relating to his sister - a well known Orkney nurse.

Lester Cheyne Law. Born 8^th May 1921 in San Pedro, Argentina, to Scottish parents. Educated Balloch School and Inverness Royal Academy. A King’s Scout. Member RAOB. Joined the RAF in 1937 and served in the Middle East for most of the war. Served at Port Said  with Marine Craft Unit & 136 MU? RAF Recruiting Sgt. Inverness 1947 - 50. From 1950 Instructor at Advanced Flying Training School, Dalcross. 1956-60  Malaya. With 95 Sqn. RAF Regiment, based at Slim River, Perak. Also attached 101 Sqn RAF in 1958. Back to UK with squadron in 1960. 101 Sqn. (Avro Vulcan) RAF Finningley, Yorkshire. 1960 to Argentina with 101 Sqn Vulcans, plus a Comet and a Britannia from Transport Command, on goodwill tour (150^th Anniversary of the Argentine), and with supplies for Chilean earthquake.  

Drill Instructor on Staff of RAF Cranwell from 1960 - 64. BEM 1965 “In an establishment where excellence is by no means uncommon, Flight Sergeant Law was outstanding for his organisational ability, tireless example and cheerful acceptance of innumerable difficulties”.