Scott Bonnar Explained

Scott Bonnar (c. April 1893^[1] – 1961) was a South Australian engineer, founder of a company which manufactured a range of lawn mowers and other implements, but perhaps best known for their "Model 45" reel, or cylinder, mower.

History

Bonnar was perhaps born at 57 Watkins Street, Newtown, Sydney,^[2] a son of J. J. Bonnar, jun. (1861–1938) and grandson of solicitor J. J. Bonnar.Nothing has been found of his childhood and youth; he may have attended Gilles Street primary school.^[3] in 1919 he had a workshop in Bloor Court, off Currie Street, Adelaide, sharpening lawnmower blades.

A company was founded in 1920 by Bonnar and his brother Malcolm Cornelius Bonnar.^[4] It is likely, but not certain, that Malcolm was already working as a brass founder. They set up a welding workshop and brass-foundry at 3 Chapel Street, Thebarton, South Australia,^[5] manufacturing brassware until at least 1927. By 1924 Scott Bonnar & Co. had a workshop at 22 Mill Street, Adelaide, repairing and regrinding lawn mowers.

In 1926 Scott Bonnar Ltd was formed with £10,000 capital, to take over the business, with shareholders Malcolm Cornelius Bonnar, Scott Bonnar, Percy J. A. Lawrence, Frank William Rose, and H. Gill Williams, all of Adelaide.^[6] In that year they began selling electric lawnmowers.

Developments in the 1920s includes a mower which cut a 14-foot (4 metre) swathe while leaving minimal tyre-tracks.^{[7] [8]}

By 1939 their factory was located between Beans Road and Holland Street, Southwark, South Australia.^[9] By 1948 they were also making electric hedge trimmers.

In 1950 Scott Bonnar Ltd, lawnmower and brassware manufacturers, was restructured as a public company, whose directors were M. C. Bonnar, M. F. Bonnar, L. W. Harris and A. L. Slade.^[4] Bonnar himself took no active part in the company, and removed to Manly, New South Wales. In its first year of trading shareholders received a 12.5% dividend.^[10]

The brand "Bonmow" appeared in 1954, for a self-propelled 14-inch reel mower.^[11]

The "Model 45" first appeared around 1968, and came out in three reel widths: 14, 17 and 20 inches (36, 43, 51 cm) and three power options: petrol, mains electricity and battery. They also manufactured a "rotary mower",^[12] similar to the famous "Victa" brand.

The company was taken over by the manufacturer of Rover mowers, but the Southwark factory did not close until much later.

Family

John James Bonnar (c. 1819 – 29 July 1905)^[13] solicitor of Blakiston and Strathalbyn, South Australia married Lucy Anderson (c. 1825 – 3 September 1904) on 2 September 1848.^[14] He died in Manly, New South Wales.

• Fourth son John James Bonnar (28 January 1861^[15] – 1938) of Carrieton, mayor of Gladstone in 1884, married Mary Cornelius (c. 1867 – 16 August 1937) of Strathalbyn in 1887;^[16] in 1915 living at Rosslyn Park; they left Renmark for Unley in 1937; their sons included:

• Malcolm Cornelius Bonnar (1888–) married Lorna Gibbins (–) of Westbourne Park in 1919

• Malcolm Faxton Bonnar (1921–)

• Scott Bonnar (c. April 1893 – 1961) married Isabel Ruby Jean Fiveash (25 May 1890 –) in 1914; they lived at 92 Unley Road, Unley;^[1] by 1953 were living in Surry Hills, Sydney

• David Fiveash Bonnar (1 Oct 1914 – 9 Dec 1952)^[17]

• Diana Isabel Bonnar (born 30 July 1923)^[18] maybe married Julius Grosz of Hungary.^[19]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Soldier's paybook:Scott Bonnar . 1918 . National Archives of Australia . 27 July 2023.
2. News: Family Notices . . 17,288 . New South Wales, Australia . 17 August 1893 . 27 July 2023 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
3. Web site: Bonnar, Scott . Virtual War Memorial . 27 July 2023.
4. News: Scott Bonnar To Be Public Co. . . 92 . 28,585 . South Australia . 23 May 1950 . 26 July 2023 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
5. News: Advertising . . South Australia . 11 May 1920 . 27 July 2023 . 11 . National Library of Australia.
6. News: New Companies Registered . . VII . 929 . South Australia . 6 July 1926 . 27 July 2023 . 11 . National Library of Australia.
7. News: "Needs Modification" . . 21,371 . Queensland, Australia . 19 January 1935 . 27 July 2023 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
8. News: Motor Mower for Newcastle Council . . 19,281 . New South Wales, Australia . 29 July 1938 . 26 July 2023 . 10 . National Library of Australia.
9. News: Adelaide Police . . South Australia . 9 November 1939 . 27 July 2023 . 19 . National Library of Australia.
10. News: Scott Bonnar To Pay 12½ p.c. . . 92 . 28,593 . South Australia . 1 June 1950 . 27 July 2023 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
11. News: Advertising . . 43 . 2,183 . South Australia . 17 April 1954 . 27 July 2023 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
12. News: Advertising . . 43 . 12,127 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 10 October 1968 . 27 July 2023 . 11 . National Library of Australia.
13. News: Family Notices . . 25 . 1296 . South Australia . 4 August 1905 . 27 July 2023 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
14. News: Family Notices . . LXIII . 16,165 . South Australia . 3 September 1898 . 27 July 2023 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
15. News: Family Notices . . III . 797 . South Australia . 6 February 1861 . 27 July 2023 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
16. News: Family Notices . . LII . 12,603 . South Australia . 6 April 1887 . 27 July 2023 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
17. News: 13 December 1952 . Family Notices . 36 . . 35,875 . New South Wales, Australia . 28 July 2023 . National Library of Australia.
18. News: Family Notices . . LXVI . 3,490 . South Australia . 11 August 1923 . 26 July 2023 . 36 . National Library of Australia.
19. News: Family Notices . . 36,120 . New South Wales, Australia . 26 September 1953 . 27 July 2023 . 44 . National Library of Australia.