Frederick Bonnington
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Frederick was the younger son of Frederick and Janet Bonnington (née Allen).
His parents were born in Nottingham, his father in Nottingham in 1872 and his mother in 1875. Frederick and Janet were married at Sneinton St Luke on 18 December 1897 and had two sons, Claude Cecil b. 1898 and Frederick b. 1900 (AMJ).
Frederick, a lace curtain designer, his wife and their two sons were living at 42 Queen's Road, Nottingham, with Frederick's widowed father, John Frederick Bonnington, a lace merchant's clerk, in 1901.
By 1911, Frederick and his family were living at 154 Flewitt Street, Nottingham. His wife, Janet, died in 1920 aged 45.
Frederick, who was working for W. Mary & Son, lace manufacturers as a lace curtain designer, and his son Claude, an advertising clerk (T Bailey Forman, Guardian Office, Printers and Publishers), were still living at 154 Flewitt Street in 1921. Frederick died in August 1928; home address 14 Edingley Avenue, Sherwood.
Claude married Winifred Stirland (b. 1900) in 1923 and they were living at 40 Wensley Road, Woodthorpe, in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. Claude was a newspaper representative (advertising department) and also an ARP warden, enrolled for Nottingham city duties at the Guardian Office. He died in September 1968.
Frederick Bonnington enlisted at Nottingham. He served with the 52nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.
Frederick died in hospital in Middlesborough of double pneumonia on 26 May 1918. He was interred in Nottingham General Cemetery on 30 May 1918 (grave ref. 8433.DD).
'Following the introduction of conscription, Training Reserve battalions were created to train the recruits. The training system was changed in 1917 with Young Soldier and Graduated Battalions being formed. Conscription aged 18 years 1 month first joined a Young Soldier Battalion and following basic training moved into a Graduated Battalion to complete their training. In October 1917 it was decided that Young Soldier and Graduated Battalions should be linked to a parent regiment and the 52nd (Graduated) Battalion was linked to the DLI. (source: longlongtrail website)
His brother Claude enlisted in the Army Cyclists Corps in 1914 at the age of 15. He later served with the Army Pay Corps (24224 Private), and was discharge from the Army on 22 April 1919.
CWGC Additional information: Son of Frederick and Janet Bonnington, of 154, Flewitt St., Nottingham.
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Too dearly loved to be forgotten. R.I.P.'
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 29 May 1918: ‘Bonnington. On 26th inst., in hospital, Pte. Fred Bonnington. From his auntie Jennie, Albert and Edith.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 30 May 1918: ‘Bonnington. On May 26th, in hospital, Pte. Fred Bonnington, DSI-sic, aged 18 years. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. From sorrowing mam, dad, and brother Claude in hospital.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
WW1 Pension Ledgers: Named his mother, Janet, 154 Flewitt Street, Nottingham.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 31 August 1928: ‘Bonnington. On August 30th, suddenly, Frederick Bonnington, of 14 Edingley-avenue, Sherwood.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Guardian, ‘Deaths’, 26 September 1968: ‘Bonnington. Claud Cecil, aged 70, 1 North Foreland Drive, Skegness (formerly of Woodthorpe), suddenly, on September 24th, dear husband of Winifred. Cremation Wilford Hill 2.40pm. Friday, September 27th.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Guardian Journal 28 September 1968 (extract), ‘Death of Mr Claud Bonnington. A former senior advertising representative with the Guardian Journal and Nottingham Evening Post, Mr Claud C Bonnington, died in his car near Spilsby yesterday while travelling from Nottingham to his home in Skegness. Mr Bonnington, who was 70, joined the firm in February 1920. He retired in June 1963. In 1914, together with Ald. Sidney Hill, a former Lord Maor of Nottingham, he shared the title of ‘baby’ of the Army Cycle Corps. He met Ald. Hill when he joined up, and at the age of 15 they were the youngest soldiers in the newly-formed corps.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Additional information/record updated, RF (Jan. 2026)
Frederick Bonnington
Grave/CWGC headstone, Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Peter Gillings.
Photo of Frederick Bonnington
Grave, Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (30 Jan. 2026)