Bernard Martin Thornton

Bernard Martin Thornton (1881-1950) of Perry, Thornton, and Schreiber

1881 Born in Northampton the second son of Rev (later Canon) Frederick Ferdinand Martin Schleicher Thornton and his wife Hattiet Emily Woolston.

Educated at Wellington and Oxford. Captained his college XV and, when he left Oxford, played for Berkshire Wanderers.

1902 He won a commission with the Seaforth Highlanders to fight in the Boer War (it was all over before he left for South Africa!) and served with them until 1908. While he was still a serving soldier, he became involved with Percival Perry and Eric Schreiber in setting up the forerunner of the Ford Motor Company of Great Britain.

1909 Married at Weybridge to Edith Frances Morison (1884-1967) and had one son and one daughter.

1909 The business of Perry, Thornton, and Schreiber closed.

1911 Living at 100 York Mansions, Prince of Wales Road, Battersea Park SW:Bernard Martin Thornton (age 30 born Northampton), Dealer in Motor Goods - Employer. With his wife Edith Frances.

Bernard Martin Thornton became one of the most successful Conservative agents in their history between 1914 and 1936.

WWI Enrolled with the Army Ordnance Corps and fought at the Somme, Ypres and in Italy - he was awarded the Military Cross and was mentioned in dispatches.

During WW2 he served in Military Intelligence.

1950 Died, aged 69.

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