Fred Bonsor


Fernand "Fred" Bonsor was a rugby union international who represented England from 1886 to 1889, he also captained his country. At club level he played for Bradford FC, and Skipton RFC.

Early life

Fernand Bonsor was born in 1862 in France, the son of Robert and Louise Bonsor. His father was a dye manufacturer. Fernand, his elder brother Robert, younger brother Morris, and both parents, were born in France, though British subjects. The family moved to Shipley sometime after 1871 and Fernand soon became known as Fred. In his latter teens he studied for the Civil Service examination although his profession by his late twenties seemed to follow his father into industry, being a wholesale bottler and agent. During July–September 1885 he married Fannie Milnes of Halifax in Bradford district.

Rugby union career

Bonsor made his international début on Saturday 2 January 1886 at the Rectory Field, Blackheath in the England versus Wales match.
Of the six matches he played for his national side he was on the winning side on 3 occasions.
He played his last match for England on Saturday 16 February 1889 at Rectory Field, Blackheath in the England versus New Zealand Natives match.

Change of Code

When Bradford converted from the rugby union code to the rugby league code on Thursday 29 August 1895, Fred Bonsor would have been approximately 33 years of age. Consequently, he may have been both a rugby union and rugby league footballer for Bradford.