They made the Ultimate Sacrifice

BONNELL, Charles Ernest, Lieutenant, RCN - MPK 08 Jan 1943, HMS/M P311 - Son of Walter Herbert Muirhead Bonnell and Ola Barrett White; husband of Eleanor Bonnell; father of Barbara Bonnell (age 13) of Holland Landing.

D.S.C. citation:  "For courage and skill when an enemy convoy was attacked by our light Coastal Forces." (Note: He sunk a merchant ship on 03 November 1941 during that action)

Special Services Charioteer' Lost - Lt Bonnell died on 8 Jan 43 when HMS/M P311 was sunk by a mine during Operation 'Principal' Straits of Bonifacio, enroute to his first chariot operation.  Lt Bonnell was one, of first two Canadians both RCNVR, selected to join the then very secret British two-man "chariot" training program then just in early stages of design and development. Becoming part of a group of only 24 officers and 31 men and the only Canadians to do so. They trained and qualified as divers and on chariots

Lt Charles Bonnell is listed on the Halifax Memorial, Nova Scotia, Canada, Panel 9. Commemorated on Lakefield College School Memorial, XIIth Submarine Flotilla Memorial Cairn, GarbhEilan, Kylesku, Sutherland & East Gwillimbury Roll of Honour.

Awards and decorations: D.S.C., 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, CVSM & clasp, Defence Medal, 1939-45 War Medal

Ships served in:

RCNVR DIVISION TORONTO - 27 Sep 1939. Enlisted 02 Oct 1939. Commenced Active Service 08 Jan 1940 
HMCS STONE FRIGATE - 08 Jan 1940 - 02 Mar 1940
HMCS STADACONA - 03 Mar 1940 - 12 Jun 1940

HMCS ACADIA - 24 Mar 1940 - 27 Apr 1940 - lent from STADACONA
HMCS AMBLER - 01 Jun 1940 - 11 Jun 1940 - lent from STADACONA
HMCS KING ALFRED (RNVR Officers Training Establishments, Hove & Lancing, Sussex) - 13 Jun 1940 - 30 Aug 1940
HMS PATROCLUS - Armed Merchant Cruiser - 31 Aug 1940 - 02 Nov 1940
HMS OSPREY (Anti Submarine Establishment, Portland) for MTB Training - 03 Nov 1940 - unknown. Appointed Lt, RCN (seniority 27 Sep 1939)

HMS HORNET (Coastal Forces Base, Gosport) for MTB Training - unknown - 19 Jan 1941

HMS BEEHIVE (Coastal Forces Base, Felixstowe) for duties with C.O. 4th MTB Flotilla - 20 Jan 1941 - unknown

HMS HORNET - unknown - 01 Jun 1941

HM MTB 46 - 02 Jun 1941 - unknown.  Appointed CO 24 Jul 1941

HM MTB 218 - unknown - 06 Feb 1942 as CO.  Awarded D.S.C.

HMS HORNET - 07 Feb 1942 - 02 Mar 1942 as Add'l

HMS DOLPHIN (Submarine Depot, Gosport) - 03 Mar 1942 - 11 Jun 1942 - Add'l for motor launches and misc. duties

HMS/M P311 - 12 Jun 1942 - 08 Jan 1943 - Sub mined in the Straits of Bonifacio

(CB01) Questionnaire to RCNVR Candidates  (CB02-CB03) Attestation form  (CB04-CB05) Service history summary

(CB06) Article on the death of Lt Charles Bonnell  (CB07) Casualty Report  (CB08-CB10) Letters to Lt Bonnell's widow

(CB11) FIRST CHARIOT TRAINING CLASS AT LOCH ERISORT

Back row - L-R: Stoker Petty Officer C. E. T. Warren,  Lieutenant D. C. Evans,  Lieutenant C. E. Donnell,  Lieutenant A. Moreton

Front row: Corporal J. Allander,  Sergeant D. Craig,  Able Seaman J. Brown

Second World War Casualty Index

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