Contributed by Ron Inglis, October 2021:
Hendrick John Bongers, an ex-pupil of Auburn Public School, was a fitter who had completed two years apprenticeship at the Westinghouse Air Brake Co, Concord. His widowed father, living at 40 Dartbrook Road, Auburn, must have given his permission for Hendrick to enlist, as he was only 18 years and 8 months old when he enlisted on 25 August 1915. His 19th birthday would have been around the time he embarked on the Aeneas on 20 December 1915.
After time in the Tel el Kibir camp in Egypt, Bongers moved on to France, disembarking in Marseilles in June 1916. He was killed in action on 12 August 1916 in the First Battle of the Somme. He body was originally buried in the vicinity of Pozières, but could not be found after the war, therefore, his name was inscribed on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.
His sister, Georgina Ruth Bongers, must have been dependent on Hendrick, as she was granted a pension of 12 shillings per fortnight.
Hendrick Bongers is honoured on the following memorials in Australia:
- Auburn War Memorial
- Municipality of Auburn 1914-1919 Honour Roll
- Auburn Boys Public School Great War Photographic Honour Roll
- Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial Canberra
His decorations:
- British War Medal
- 1914-20 Victory Medal
