Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Bonser a groom, born 1871 in Colston Bassett, Notts., and his wife Lucy, born 1871 in Harby, Leics. Edward Henry was born in 1895 in Long Clawson, Leics., his siblings were Fred, born 1893 in Harby, Leics., and Harold, born 1898 in Long Clawson, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Main Street, Long Clawson, Leics. In April 1911 Edward was employed as a farm cow boy and was residing at Brockhill Farm, Hose, Melton Mowbray, Leics. In the October, November, December quarter of 1914 Edward married Elsie Edna Sharpe in the Melton Mowbray, Leics., registration district. Edward drowned at sea (from H.T. Ivernia). On Friday January 19th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “HOSE” LOST AT SEA – Much sympathy is expressed with Mrs E. H. Bonser, who has received the sad news that her husband Gunner E. H. Bonser, had been lost at sea on a ship which was sunk by the enemy. Gunner Bonser is a son of Mr and Mrs William Bonser, of Long Clawson, for whom also much sympathy is felt. On Friday February 16th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LONG CLAWSON” – MEMORIAL SERVICE. – The Rev. C. T. Lander conducted a memorial service to Pte. E. H. Bonser in the Wesleyan Church on Sunday evening. He made a touching reference to the deceased, who was lost at sea by the sinking of the Ivernia on January 1st. The service was most impressive. On Friday April 13th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS” Sunday’s list included:- MISSING, BELIEVED DROWNED ON THE TRANSPORT IVERNIA. MACHINE GUN CORPS. Bonser, 59627 E. H. (Melton Mowbray).