Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Elmo Rankine Bonython was born on the 22nd of February 1897 in Summertown, South Australia, to parents, Robert Langdon Bonython and Margaret Norton (nee Jones). Elmo had two older brothers named, Robert Langdon Bonython and Kenneth Morgan Bonython. Robert was born on the 26th of September 1893 in Summertown, South Australia and Kenneth who was born on the 19th of September 1895 also in Summertown, South Australia. Both of his brothers attended Uraidla Primary School so it can be assumed that Elmo also went there. Prior to the war, Elmo worked as a gardener and his religious beliefs followed those of the Methodist church. On the 4th of June 1918, at age 21, Elmo enlisted for the war and became a Private. At this time, he was 180 cm tall, weighed 80 kilograms, with dark hair and brown eyes. His next of kin was his father, R.L. Bonython and his service number was 62124.

On the 6th of August 1918, Elmo departed Adelaide onboard the ‘SS Gaika’. On the 15th of September 1918, whilst still onboard, he was admitted to the hospital on the ship overnight for a sore throat, being discharged the next day, the 16th. Two months after leaving Australia, on the 13th of October 1918, Elmo finally arrived in London. Once off the ship he was allotted to the 43rd Battalion and stayed in London until the 18th of February 1919 where he then proceeded to France (on the Western Front) via South Hampton in England. By this time the war had already been over for three months. It is uncertain why Elmo chose to stay following the end of the war, however, there is the possibility that he was given the choice of whether to stay and he potentially stayed to help clean up and repair the damage done to the surrounding lands. On the 26th of February he was reported as having ‘taken on strength’ whilst out in the field. Unfortunately, only a few weeks later, on the 5th of March 1919, he was admitted to hospital by the 11th A.F. Ambulance for influenza. It is unsure whether he caught the Spanish Flu which had spread rapidly at this time or if he just caught a normal flu. He arrived at St Dunstan’s Road, Brighton, England on the 24th of March 1919. Four days later he was admitted to Fulham Military Hospital for influenza. He was there until the 8th of April 1919 where he was then transferred to the 1st A.G.H or Australian General Hospital. Elmo had been there for just under two months when he was discharged having finally recovered from his illness. Nothing is known about what he did or where he went over the next two months. He embarked for Australia on the 2nd of August 1919 onboard the ‘Argyllshire’. He was at sea for around a month and a half and arrived back in Australia on the 15th of September 1919. The next day he was discharged from the army and awarded the Star medal, British War medal and Victory Medal. He was only in the war from the 4th of June 1918, from when he enlisted, to the 16th of September 1919, the day he was discharged. This was a period of one year and three months to which none of this was spent actually fighting in the war.

Even though he technically did not ever fight in the war Elmo Rankine Bonython still reflected the ANZAC spirit. At the time of his enlistment neither he nor anyone else knew when the war would end and because of this he demonstrated many qualities that are associated with the ANZAC spirit. At the time of war many Australian men, probably including Elmo, would have been wanting to enlist and fight for Australia so that they could show nationalism and pride in their country. By Elmo just going to enlist he displayed his courage, bravery and dedication to his nation because he was willing to give his life for the better of others. It is unclear why he stayed in France after the war was over but it could be because he still wanted to serve his country. This would have demonstrated his sense of duty and commitment to Australia and its people. Despite not fighting in the war, Elmo, still displayed many qualities that were associated with the ANZAC spirit just like many other Australian army men at this time.

Four years after being discharged from the army, Elmo married Debora Isabel Plush on the 29th of May 1924, at Flinders Street Baptist Church, South Australia. Three years later he and his wife welcomed their first child, a daughter named Norma June Bonython. She was born on the 9th of November 1927 at Maylands. Elmo and Debora also had another daughter named Violet but her birth date is unknown. On the 15th of December 1924, Elmo’s brother Kenneth passed away from war service related causes. Six months later on the 19th of July 1925 Elmo’s brother, Robert, passed away in Myrtle Bank, Adelaide from war service related causes also. On the 19th of July 1951, after 27 years of marriage, Elmo’s wife, Debora, died aged 46. 24 years after his wife’s death, on the 9th of July 1975, Elmo sadly passed away from natural causes and old age, at age 78. Two days later he was cremated and interred at RSL, Wall 107, Niche F012, Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia.