Dorothea Bonell (buried 1952)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Bonell
First name: 
Dorothea
Other Christian names: 
Gender: 
Female
Children: 
No
Burial number: 
1842
Born: 
26/5/1866
Died: 
25/04/1952
Buried: 
01/05/1952
Occupation: 
Hospital Matron
Distinction: 
WW1 Red Cross VAD
Heene Hallmark: 
Yes
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
SWS
Cemetery row: 
4
Cemetery plot: 
17
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/pushes.fears.hungry
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Endowed grave: 
Yes
Headstone description: 
EndowedGrave: Cut grass and keep tidy.
Headstone inscription: 
In loving memory of Hannah wife of the late Joseph Bonell of Shrewsbury died 12th Janry 1916 "He giveth His beloved sleep and her daughter Dot died 25th April 1952 "Reunitd"

Life story

Life story

Heene Hallmark

Dorothea Bonell (known as Dot) was born in Coventry, Warwickshire, on 26th May 1866, she was the daughter of Joseph Bonell, 28yrs, Foreman, Railway Coach Builders, and Hannah, 38yrs, nee Oughton. She was the youngest of 4 children, Edith b.1860, Thomas b.1862, and Eliza b.1865.

Dorothea's first census appearance is in 1901 when she is 35yrs old and living with her widowed mother in Guildford, Surrey, she is unmarried. In 1911 she is in Worthing, Sussex, living in Heene Road with her mother, Hannah, 84yrs, and her widowed sister, Edith Hextall.

During the Great War 1914 1918, Dot enlisted as a Red Cross volunteer (VAD) on 15th October 1916; she appears to have trained at The Star and Garter Auxillary Hospital and at St. Dunstans. Dot was still working as a VAD in May 1919.

In 1921 Dot was visiting Elizabeth Mary Parkes and her daughters in Worcestershire, she was 56yrs old and gave her occupation as none. In 1927 she was living at Beachfield, Brighton Road, Worthing, and according to the Worthing Gazette of 16th April 1927, she was among 57 dog owners taken to court for non-payment of her dog licence, she was fined 7s 6d! (See below)

In 1939 Dot was in Worthing, at the Catherine Marsh Convalescent Home, 66, Brighton Road, she gave her occupation as Hospital Matron.

Dot died on 25th April 1952, her address was Pengwern, 151, Heene Road, she was 86yrs old. Dot was extremely generous to various Church and Missionary societies in her Will, leaving her house to a Bible Society. Probate was granted to Percival John Warren, retired Bank Manager, effects £12552 1s 7d. Value 2022 - £384,800.

Burial researcher: 
Maggi Martin

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
26/05/1866

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
25/04/1952
Age (at time of death): 
86
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
Pengwern, 151 Heene Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Obituary

 

 Worthing Gazette 20th August 1952.

SEA FRONT CHURCH GETS £1000

 

  1. COLUMBA'S Church, Worthing, has been left £1,OOO in the Will of Miss Dot Bonell, of 151, Heene Road, Worthing. Miss Bonell, who died on April 25th. left £12,552 1s. 7d. gross, £11,243 4s. 9d. net value. She left £2OO to her friend Lilian Roberts, of Wish Hill, Willingdon, near Eastbourne and stated that she would give effects to her friends as she had directed to her. She also stated that she wished her friend Nora Neve to retain the use of two rooms at No. 151, Heene Rd, during her lifetime. Among bequests were: £l.OOO each to Dr. Barnardos Homes, National Lifeboat Institution and British Sailors' Society (Merchant Navy); £1.OOO to St. Columba's Presbyterian Church, Worthing, for the Presbyterian Foreign Missions' Society; £1,OOO to the Baptist Missionary Foreign Mission Society "through the Minister of Christchurch-Road Baptist Church, Worthing," to be given to use Foreign Mission Society; £1,OOO to the London Society In aid of Moravion Missions; her money In the Post Office Savings Bank," about £1,000." to the Home for Elderly Women of reduced circumstances; and her residence to the British and Foreign Bible Society.
Personal effects
Executors: 
Percival john Warren status: Retired Bank Manager
Probate pounds: 
£12,552

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1901 census: 

Living at Guildford, Surrey. Hannah Bonell, Hd. widow, 70yrs, living on own means, daughter, Dottie, s. 35yrs.

1911 census: 

Living at Pengwern, Heene Road, Worthing, Sussex. Hannah Bonell, Hd. widow, 80yrs, private means, daughters, Edith Hextall, widow, 51yrs, private means, and Dottie Bonell, s. 45yrs.

1921 census: 

Visiting 40, Alcester Road, Kings Heath, Smethwick, Worcestershire. Elizabeth Mary Parkes, Hd. 77yrs, daughters, Elizabeth Helen Parkes, 56yrs, Childrens Outfitter, Gertrude Parkes, 46yrs, visitor, Dot Bonell, 56yrs, occupation none, plus 1 domestic servant.

1939 register: 

The Catherine Marsh Convalescent Home, 66, Brighton Road, Worthing, Sussex.

Dot Bonell, Matron.

Miscellaneous information

History of dog licences

Dog licences were originally introduced by the Dog Licences Act 1867, but the requirement was widely ignored, with only about half of owners having one.

The rate of seven shillings and sixpence was set in the Customs and Inland Revenue Act 1878. The revenue went to local authorities. Dog licensing was in effect a tax on dogs: the scheme did not ensure the welfare of dogs, nor did it restrict who was allowed to keep dogs.

In 1927, 7s 6d. was equivalent to £30 today, (2023)