Bonehill was also a competitive fencer and fencing coach. He was crowned 2010 Veterans World Sabre Champion at the 14th World Veterans Fencing Championships held in Croatia. Before the final he was presented with a commemorative diploma from the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime, the world governing body of fencing, to mark his 'extraordinary achievement' of representing Great Britain at 10 consecutive World Championships.[5][6]
Bonehill died on 4 February 2015. He was 67.[4][5]