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Scott Bonnar (c. April 1893 [1] – 1961) was a South Australian engineer,[ not verified in body] founder of a company which manufactured a range of lawn mowers and other implements, but perhaps best known[ according to whom?] 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.[ citation needed]

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.[ citation needed]

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.[ citation needed]

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]

References

  1. ^ a b "Soldier's paybook:Scott Bonnar". National Archives of Australia. 1918. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Family Notices". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 17, 288. New South Wales, Australia. 17 August 1893. p. 1. Retrieved 27 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Bonnar, Scott". Virtual War Memorial. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Scott Bonnar To Be Public Co". The Advertiser (Adelaide). Vol. 92, no. 28, 585. South Australia. 23 May 1950. p. 7. Retrieved 26 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Advertising". The Advertiser (Adelaide). South Australia. 11 May 1920. p. 11. Retrieved 27 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "New Companies Registered". The News (Adelaide). Vol. VII, no. 929. South Australia. 6 July 1926. p. 11. Retrieved 27 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ ""Needs Modification"". The Morning Bulletin. No. 21, 371. Queensland, Australia. 19 January 1935. p. 7. Retrieved 27 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "Motor Mower for Newcastle Council". Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate. No. 19, 281. New South Wales, Australia. 29 July 1938. p. 10. Retrieved 26 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "Adelaide Police". The Advertiser (Adelaide). South Australia. 9 November 1939. p. 19. Retrieved 27 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "Scott Bonnar To Pay 12½ p.c." The Advertiser (Adelaide). Vol. 92, no. 28, 593. South Australia. 1 June 1950. p. 6. Retrieved 27 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "Advertising". The Mail (Adelaide). Vol. 43, no. 2, 183. South Australia. 17 April 1954. p. 8. Retrieved 27 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "Advertising". The Canberra Times. Vol. 43, no. 12, 127. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 10 October 1968. p. 11. Retrieved 27 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "Family Notices". The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser. Vol. 25, no. 1296. South Australia. 4 August 1905. p. 2. Retrieved 27 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ "Family Notices". South Australian Register. Vol. LXIII, no. 16, 165. South Australia. 3 September 1898. p. 4. Retrieved 27 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ^ "Family Notices". The South Australian Advertiser. Vol. III, no. 797. South Australia. 6 February 1861. p. 2. Retrieved 27 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ^ "Family Notices". South Australian Register. Vol. LII, no. 12, 603. South Australia. 6 April 1887. p. 4. Retrieved 27 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. ^ "Family Notices". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 35, 875. New South Wales, Australia. 13 December 1952. p. 36. Retrieved 28 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. ^ "Family Notices". The Chronicle (Adelaide). Vol. LXVI, no. 3, 490. South Australia. 11 August 1923. p. 36. Retrieved 26 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  19. ^ "Family Notices". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 36, 120. New South Wales, Australia. 26 September 1953. p. 44. Retrieved 27 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
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