BUNN Benjamin Renault

Benjamin Bunn enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 22nd February 1916 at Virden, Manitoba, Canada. On his attestation form he gave his date of birth as 14th October 1892 in Kington, Worcestershire, his profession as farming and his next of kin as his mother, Sarah Annie Bunn of Crowle, North Worcestershire. Benjamin was 5ft 3 inches tall with a dark complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia on 15th December 1916, arriving in Liverpool on 28th December 1916. Benjamin was admitted to the isolation hospital at Aldershot in February 1917 suffering from an original diagnosis of mumps which was later amended to acute bronchitis. He was discharged from hospital on 1st March 1917 only to be re-admitted for a further 7 days from 20th March 1917 with the same illness. He arrived in France on 1st June 1917 and was reported missing on 21st August 1917.

Among Benjamin’s military records can be found the following excerpt from a letter he wrote to his mother:
Somewhere in France
July 1917
B Bunn 191
My dear Mother
Just a few lines to you
……………….I only wish you to know that everything I have is yours theres to be no sharing or deviding up. its yours every bit until I see clearly how to act…….
From your ever loving
and Grateful Son
Benjamin XXXX
Xxx
Xx
X

National Archives of Canada Reference: RG150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 1261 – 40

The Canada War Graves Registers (Circumstances of Casualty) records the following information on Private Benjamin Bunn:
“Previously reported missing now for official purposes presumed to have died.” Location of unit at time of casualty: Attack at Lens.

A photograph of Private B. Bunn of Crowle can be found in Berrow’s Worcester Journal Supplement, Saturday 31st August 1918, available at Worcestershire Archives.

Benjamin Bunn has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on Vimy Memorial.