THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

BONIFANT Ian Lambert

20041, Lieutenant Colonel, 25 Battalion, WW2

CITATION

Distinguished Service Order

Gazetted 28 January 1943, p524

Lieutenant Colonel I.L Bonifant commanded his battalion in the assault on the Miteiriya Ridge on the night 23/24 October 1942 with noteworthy skill and resolution.  During the thirty six hours following the capture of the ridge, his unit was heavily shelled and mortared and during this period his cheerful bearing was an inspiration to all ranks.  Although wounded in the head with a bomb splinter, he refused to leave his battalion when he heard that it would have to carry out another attack.  Only when that attack had been successfully completed under his command and he knew that his unit was to be relieved from its forward position was he willing to be evacuated for his wound to be operated on; his courage throughout was outstanding.

Bar to the Distinguished Service Order

Gazetted 30 April 1946

For great skill and personal gallantry as commander of an Infantry Brigade during the crossing of the Rivers Senio, Santerno, Idice, Reno, Po and Adige.  This officer was a constant and never failing inspiration to all under his command, and his skill, courage and resolute determination was a decisive factor in the brilliant operation of his brigade.  His personal contact with his forward troops and his quick and able decisions brought about a constant acceleration of our advance and so surprised and disorganised the enemy that they were driven quickly and in disorder from well prepared and naturally formidable defences.  His skillful and resolute direction of the heavily contested assault crossing of the Senio, Santerno and Idice Rivers was a decisive factor in these most successful operations.

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Service Order and bar

1939-45 Star

Africa Star

       8th Army

Italy Star

Defence Medal

War Medal 1939-45

       Mention in Despatches

New Zealand War Service Medal

Efficiency Decoration

NOTES

Born 3 March 1912, Ashburton, New Zealand

Died