CHARLES REGINALD BOND
Born: 16th May 1898, Cantley, Norfolk.
Baptised on the 10th June 1898, at St. Margaret’s Church, Cantley – family home at Cantley Manor House.
Died: 26th September 1917; age: 19; KiA – whilst gallantly leading his men in a successful attack upon the enemy’s position.
Evening Star – Wednesday, 10th October 1917 – LIEUTENANT CHARLES R. BOND – We regret to announce that Second Lieutenant Charles Reginald Bond, of the Suffolk Regiment, and youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry K. Bond, of Queenscliff, Ipswich, was killed in action on the 26the September, whilst gallantly leading his men in a successful attack upon the enemy’s position. Mr. Charles Bond was educated at Ipswich School, thence proceeded to Sandhurst, and passed out from there to join his Battalion of the Suffolks in November of last year. He went out to the Front in May and, since then, had been on active service with his regiment. In a letter written to his parents, his Commanding Officer says, “he endeared himself to everyone by his unfailing good humour and cheerfulness under all conditions, and his great personal charm. It was not only with officers that he was universally popular and well-liked, but with his men also. He had an undoubted gift of leadership, and his keenness in his work, careful thought for his men’s comfort, reliability, gallantry, and quiet and thorough devotion to duty made him a most capable and valuable officer.”
Residence: Queenscliff, Kesteven Road, Ipswich.
After completing his education at Ipswich School, Charles became a Gentleman Cadet at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. On the 27th October 1916, Charles was commissioned into the Suffolk Regiment as a Second Lieutenant, and passed out of Sandhurst in November to join the 2nd Battalion in France.
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion.
Memorial Reference:
Panel 40 to 41 & 162 to 162A.
West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium.
Brother to JAMES WILLIAM BOND.
CENSUS
1901 Mews House, Cantley, Norfolk.
Charles was 2 years old and living with his parents & brothers.
Henry Kendall Bond, 44, a Farmer – employer, born Ipswich.
Evelyn Mary Smith Bond (nee Fielding), 33, born Shalden, Hampshire.
Henry Fielding Bond, 8, born Sproughton, Suffolk.
George Fairlie Bond, 6, born Somerton, Norfolk.
John Vivian Bond, 5, born Martham, Norfolk.
James William Bond, 4, born Martham.
1 Governess.
1 cook.
1 housemaid.
1 general servant.
1 nurse.
1911 25, Aubyns Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk.
Charles was 12 years old, a Patient at the Surgical Home. 44 year old, widowed Rosa Hudson was the Hospital Nurse for the 2 patients.
Charles was educated at Ipswich School – entered 1913.
Probate to Henry Kendall Bond, Esq. – father.
Soldiers’ Effects to Henry Kendall Bond, Esq. – father.
Charles is remembered on the Chapel war memorial at Ipswich School, and also on the war memorial at St. Mary at Stoke Church, Ipswich.
Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion:
The 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, attacked between St. Julien and Tower Hamlets in the Zonnebeke area.
The 2nd Battalion assault began at 05:30 in thick mist, which added to the difficulty of communicating between each unit, as they came up against concrete pillboxes. The assault was a success, and the honour of capturing the village of Zonnebeke fell to the 2nd Battalion. During the evening, a strong counter attack was repelled. This continued the next evening with snipers and aircraft attacking during the day. Over 4 days, the Battalion received 258 casualties.
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