I am trying to find information on my uncle, sadly no longer with us, who served with the Royal Navy and was at Juno Beach on 6th June. Unfortunately he passed away without ever sharing with his family the part he played on that day. It was only because my mum, his youngest sister, remembers him telling her about it. Sadly my mum is now 92 and suffering with dementia and can not recall much except waiting at the station for his return. His name was Frederick Ernest Bonser born 1924 in Coalville Leicestershire, I believe he was a designated Beach master with combined ops but I don't know which ship he served on. Anyone know how to get this information please as we wish to honour him in this year's commemorations. Thank you.
Hi, Welcome to the forum. Your definitive way forward is to apply for his naval service record from RN via the link here - Get a copy of military records of service Good luck. Steve
Welcome aboard. There is plenty of knowledge and expertise here. We always recommend applying for the Service Record. It is the definitive account of his service. Yes, it can take time and regularly has good and disappointing responses. A very short note (copied from Clive): you will need his date of birth and death cert available here for £7 https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/ Link for service records Select the service - Apply for a deceased person's military record - GOV.UK It is vital you add his full name, Date of Birth, Service Number and if known their unit. Members can check their resources and do some online research. Others may be looking now and in the future for them; we regularly have people join who have found a post or thread about a relative. It might be worth checking if there is a local newspaper article about him. Most public libraries have access to the British Newspaper Archive when in the library, not online. On your current information he has not appeared here before today. It helps to add a ‘tag’ when you create a thread, only you can do this. It is for the formation / corps involved or a theme like intelligence. Searching tags can identify threads, otherwise it takes a bit longer. Some help via PM next; which is a now four pg. PDF. Also available on: WW2 Soldier Research - Tips and Links for New Researchers (update) Plus: How to Start a new Thread / Edit Post / Upload Image He was born 20 September 1924 and died 16 October 2006 . Does that match your information. Born and died in Coalville. This man was the principal beach master on the Canadian Juno Beach: Colin Maud - Wikipedia There are members here who specialise in D-Day and amphibious operations, hopefully they will be along shortly. This might help with the context, though his name does not appear, it does explain how many beach masters there. Search for beach master and there re thirty-two mentions. See: http://www.6juin1944.com/assaut/juno/tables.pdf Se Post 105 for details (possibly from above link): JUNO BEACH. His name does not appear in this thread. Good luck.
Thanks I didn't have his exact date of birth and death, just the years. Already you guys are helping, thank you. Below is a piece from our local newspaper which tells a bit about my uncle.
If your Uncle was a 'Beachmaster' it sounds like he could have been a member of a RN Commando unit. These units were responsible for controlling operations on a beach during and after an amphibious landing. Regarding Juno Beach, personnel from L, P and S RN Commandos (plus W RCN Commando) were involved in the landing on 6th June 1944, so it is possible he was from one of these units. Royal Naval Beach Commandos 1942-45 (relaysystem.co.uk) The above site has some more information on the RN Commandos. I had a quick look and couldn't see any reference to a Frederick Bonser, but it might help you target where to look for further information. Regards, Steve
You are very fortunate to have that newspaper cutting as it confirms him being part of a RN Beach Commando. His name is not listed here RN Beach Commandos A-C | ͏ but this list is far from complete. The Beachmaster referred to is Commander Colin Maud, RN. His service records are unlikely to help much. They will show which ship he was serving with but in the case of Beach Commandos will probably show HMS Dundonald or HMS Copra. Both these are Shore/Accounting Bases and indicate where his records are held and not where he was actually serving. See here for a way forward http://www.relaysystem.co.uk/GJT_Researching_RNBC.pdf Best of luck. Tim
