Richar rank Bonallack
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THERE were _Bonallacks in Cornwall long before Duke William's henchmen, avid for plunder,. arrived from Normandy. With one regrettable exception, the Helston family all resisted the new incursions into their way of life and, by and large, they have been that type
ever since. , They are particularly pleased, for example, with Jacob, an earnest young man who found himself at odds with the Government of the early 19th century in the matter of the new-fangled import duties. With a liberality that does him credit, he played a major and successful part in introducing such delicacies as French silk, perfume and brandy to the free market. His assets in this highly esteemed profession were a tight little lugger, an intimate knowledge of the Helston River and a remarkable tenacity of purpose.
But he was no fool. When things became uncomfortably hot in Cornish waters, he transferred his business to Sandwich, in Kent, and, what with the shorter sea crossing and the protective sandbanks, did very well for a time. Then disaster struck. In a fracas with the preventive officers, his brother and right-hand man was killed, he lost both boat and booty, and was lucky to be able to beat it into the night.
Jacob came to London and in 1828 founded Bonallack and Sons, coachbuilders, of Whitechapel. He chose this area because it was close to the docks and to the big coaching inns of Aldgate. The business moved to t able Street in 1865 and in 1885 a second shop was opened at Stratford. This was later transferred to Forest Gate, now the company's car and commercial chassis showrooms. The Cable Street premises were finally closed in 1953, when a large new factory was opened at Basildon.
Richard Frank Bonallack, the present chairman and managing director, is the fifth member of his family to control the affairs of the business in the 132 years of its existence. Now 56, he was at school at Haileybury and received his engineering training with Thornycroft's, at Basingstoke. He joined the family business on the sales side, then took charge of the mechanical repair section and was finally appointed managing director in 1936. Until that time, Bonallack's was a partnership through a family feeling that there was something faintly unscrupulous about a company of but limited liability. Bonallack's had no wish to limit their liabilities! •
The chairman is thus a sound all-rounder, with technical know-how allied to a well-developed business sense. In addition., his war service taught him much about handling men. He joined the Territorial Army in 1938 and served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, and, later, the. Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He was released as a colonel when he was acting D.D.M.E. of Paiforce, and was awarded the O.B.E.
Business, Sport and Polities
I think it would be true to say that Mr. Bonallack has three major interests—the family business, sport and politics. He gives the impression of unusual physical fitness and energy. • He is a tall, lean 16-stoner and he has played games all his life. For 10 years he played rugger for the Eastern Counties and the Old Haileyburians He is a keen cricketer and he derived immense pleasure from winter sports near Teheran (of all places) during the war.
It was on the golf course of Chigwell that he taught the game to his children, Tony, Michael and Sally, of whom all but the first play golf for England. Two years ago Tony, a county player, broke his neck, among other things, in a car crash: although he has made a complete recovery, it would, perhaps, be reasonable to suppose that his swing is not yet on a par with the others!
This enthusiasm for sport, and not only golf, appears to colour much of the family. conversation. Bonallack 'Jere has a detailed knowledge of boxing and most field sports extending over 30 or 40 years, and highly entertaining conversation it is.
He was first persuaded to 'take an active interest in politics on his return to Cable Street after the war., He was elected chairman of the Upton constituency Conservatives, and later performed the same office for the new constituency of,VVest Ham North. He is a member of the national executive of the partyand treasurer of the Home Counties North area. He is also a member of the council of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and is chairman of the bodybuilders' (goods and utility) group committee. In a rather different field, he•is chairman of Southend Employment Committee.
First Strike in 132 Years
Earlier this year, for the first time in their history, Bonallack's were disrupted by a strike which lasted for 13 weeks and two days. Because it appeared to be in breach of an agreement, the chairman refused to discuss a demand for increased pay until the factory was in full production again.
Regarded by some as the "strong man of the industry" and by others as "Bonallack—the Feudal Dictator," depending on which side of the fence the onlooker is standing, the chairman certainly follows in the family tradition of fair deals and no limited liabilities. Like most sportsmen, he sees things very much in black and white: one is either off-side or not, and there is only one way to interpret the rules. Although compromise is supposed to be an essentially British solution of most difficulties, I suspect Richard Bonallack to be the man to seek more direct and more honest agreements with his neigh
bours. It it a rare and attractive outlook today. T.W.