General Sir Ian Hamilton's cousin

Charlie Bonnefin before the war,
courtesy of Kim Phillips, Spirits of Gallipoli.

Private Adrian Charles (Charlie) Bonnefin had illustrious antecedents.  He hailed from an aristocratic French Hugenot family based in Mauritius, where he was born.  The family  contained men of noble rank and was connected to the Hamiltons, a prominent Scottish clan.  Sir Ian Hamilton, the first British commander at Gallipoli, was his first cousin.

Australian troops march past General Sir Ian Hamilton at Mena, 1915.  AWM collection PS10006.

On 28 March, Sir Ian Hamilton inspected Charlie's battalion.  Whether Charlie was able to catch up with his cousin we do not know.    Within weeks Charlie took part in the landings at Gallipoli.  Read Rod Martin's story of Pte Adrian Bonnefin.