Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Bonser a coal dealer, born 1855 in Barwell, Leics., and his wife Catherine J., born 1859 in Barwell, Leics. James was born in 1892 in Barwell, Leics., his siblings were Alice, born 1890 and George, born 1896, both his siblings were born in Barwell, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at 7, Brockey Lane, Barwell, Leics., also residing with the family was his paternal grandfather Jessie Bonser, a widower, born 1826 in Barwell, Leics. In April 1911 James was employed as a boot and shoe finisher and was residing in the family home at 14, Shilton Road, Barwell, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Alice and George.