Bob Bonney

Bob Bonney was born in Bolton where he was a prominent fixture in the local gymnastics scene as a member of the Bolton Lads & Girls Club. Selected as a member of the British gymnastics team at the 1908 Olympics, he participated in the team event in which Great Britain finished in last place out of eight countries. Following the Olympics, he continued to maintain a presence in the organization and coaching of gymnastics in the Bolton area, but was handed down a suspension by the local amateur gymnastics association in 1912.

In 1914, Bonney emigrated to Canada to live in Toronto, Ontario with his sister and brother-in-law. Here, he quickly re-established himself in the field of gymnastics as a member and president of the gymnastics club at the Central YMCA. By 1924, he had been the winner of a Dominion individual championship and had been talked of as a potential Olympic prospect, though this never eventually materialized. He continued to participate in and win local gymnastics events throughout the 1920s with Central YMCA in Toronto, and remained in the scene as an organizer, coach and judge at events in the 1930s. Bonney returned to his native England in July 1950 and died there at the age of 66 less than a year later, in May of 1951.