BX June 10, 1918
Lieutenant K.V. Bunnell Failed to Get to Fighting Line – Tried His Utmost to be transferred to Force in France – Returned Home
Lieutenant Kenneth Verner Bunnell, assistant adjutant of the 125th Battalion, is home from his two years service in England, very much disappointed at the refusal of the higher authorities to permit him to go to France. Lieut. Bunnell tried every means in his power, but was unable to move those higher up to secure the desired appointment to one of the combatant battalions. Just prior to leaving England he was offered a position with the office of the D.A.Q.M.G., but refused the appointment because of its offering no change of getting to the “big show.” In the 125th Lieut. Bunnell gave excellent and untiring service in the orderly room, and was a friend of all in the unit. When all the officers departed, he was unable to consider any employment except active service, and decided to return to Canada.
In an interview with an Expositor reporter this morning, Mr. Bunnell said that food conditions in England while under control were not so hard as to produce suffering. The troops, of course, had plenty and the civilians had their issue regulated by strict observance of the card system. Even the troops on leave had to have their food cards.
There was absolutely nothing wasted in any of the camps, and a great many of the present day restrictions should have been observed at the outbreak of the war. Mr. Bunnell returned on one of the giants of the service, in command of a very distinguished captain. On the previous trip, this commander, after the gun crew has partially disabled a sub, ran his big boat direct for the pirate, and cut it in twain. Some 27 of the German crew were picked up. The getting of the liner in question had been attempted many times by the Huns, and there is a big reward for the submarine crew which manages the trick. That has been well known for many months in the service, but British seamanship has time and time again outwitted the Boche.
Lieut. Bunnell told of Capt. Emmons leaving for the front, as well as many of the others. It got to be painful to listen to most of them, regretting their two-year stay in England, and their inability to get to France. Every officer departed with a light heart and stout courage, ready to do their bit wherever they were called upon. Sheldon Crumback was now in France, as well as Cliff Todd, and many of the others. Everybody got absolutely fed up with the glories of England, and the routine of camp life.
The medal won by Sergt. Borthwick, emblematic of the army championship of England, was brought back by Lieut. Bunnell to give to Mrs. Borthwick. It was a popular victory. Lieut. Bunnell is not certain as to his future and may leave the service and return to civilian life in the near future.
BX September 3, 1970
Kenneth V. Bunnell, 82, formerly a civic official and city businessman, died in Brantford General Hospital Wednesday.
He served as a member of city council in 1925 and 1926, on the Brantford board of education in 1944, 1945 and 1946 and on the Public Utilities Commission from 1946 to 1952. He was chairman of the PUC in 1949.
Mr. Bunnell was born in Brantford, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. A.K. Bunnell. His father was a city treasurer.
He was educated in Brantford schools and served with the Bank of Montreal from 1906 to 1910 when he entered the insurance business with his father. When Mr. Bunnell retired in 1960, he was president of Bunnell Hitchon Limited.
During the First World War, he served with the 38th Dufferin Rifles and was later transferred to the 125th Battalion where he served as assistant adjutant.
Mr. Bunnell served as secretary-treasurer of the Brant Sanatorium for a number of years.
In 1949 he was appointed the provincial government’s representative in the Brantford General Hospital board of governors, a post he held until the fall of 1969.
A member of Grace Anglican Church, Mr. Bunnell served as warden and on the synod.
He was a member of the Brantford Golf and Country Club and held honorary life memberships in the Brantford Club and the Ontario Insurance Agents Association.
Mr. Bunnell is resting at his home, 34 Preston Boulevard. Funeral service will be Friday at 2.30 p.m. at Grace Church.
