Gordon Bonner (1907-1985) was a rugby union international who was part of the British and Irish Lions team that toured New Zealand and Australia in 1930. He never represented England, and later changed code to play Rugby league.
Early life William Gordon MacGregor Bonner was born in 1907 in Wakefield, West Riding of Yorkshire. He was the son of Arthur Alexander Bonner, a cattle dealerYorkshire Evening Post West Yorkshire, England, 4 March 1952 and also magistrate for Wakefield.Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer West Yorkshire, England, 29 July 1939 His father was also a prominent member of the Rugby League establishment, at one time being president of the Wakefield Trinity rugby league club, and also between 1936 and 1938 was chairman of the Rugby Football League Council.Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer West Yorkshire, England, 5 March 1952
William went on to be educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield.QEGS Rugby . Wakefield Grammar School Foundation official website.
Rugby career Bonner went on to play for Bradford and for Yorkshire as fullback. He played in ten of the matches on the toured New Zealand and Australia in 1930 at fullback.Gordon Bonner. British and Irish Lions player archive but he did not play in any of the tests. He scored two conversions during these games. Despite playing for the British team, he was never selected for England.
Rugby league club career Gordon Bonner made his début for Wakefield Trinity during September 1932, as a full-back he played 79-matches, scoring 1-try, and 31-goals, for 65-points.Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer West Yorkshire, England, 29 August 1934 He later played for Castleford.
Personal life William Bonner married Mary (née Wood) in August 1934.
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