L/Cpl 51586 Thomas Bond

• Age: 37
• From: Kirkdale, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• Died Saturday 9th December 1916
• Commemorated at: Warlincourt Halte Brit Cem
  Panel Ref: III.H.12

Thomas was born in Liverpool on 14th October 1879 the son of John Bond and his wife Sarah (nee Whaite). They were married on 25th December 1860 at St Peter's Church, Everton. He was baptised on the 27th October 1879 also at St Peter's, his father was a carter living in Latimer Street. Thomas was the eleventh of thirteen children, five of whom sadly did not survive to adulthood. His surviving siblings were as follows: brothers James, John, Henry, William, Arthur and Hughie and one sister Elizabeth Ann. 

In the 1881 Census the family are living at 22 Westmoreland Place, off Scotland Road, Liverpool. Thomas is 1 year old and lives with his parents and five siblings. His father, John, is a 43 year old master carter, born in Halsall, Lancashire in 1838, whilst his mother is 38 years of age, born in Haigh, Lancashire in 1843. His siblings, all born in Liverpool are recorded as; James aged 19 and a general carter, John aged 17 also described as a general carter, Henry 11, and Elizabeth 6 are at school and William is aged 3. 

The 1891 Census finds the family are still living at 22 Westmoreland Place, off Scotland Road, Liverpool. Thomas is now 11 years of age and at school, he lives with his mother and five siblings and his grandmother Ann Bond an 84 year old widow. His mother is head of the household and declares herself as 49 years of age and married. His siblings are shown as; Elizabeth A. a 16 year old domestic servant, William a 13 year old errand boy, Arthur aged 9 and Hugh aged 6 are both at school. 

By 1901 the family are living at 67 Latham Street, Kirkdale. Thomas is 21 years of age and shown to be employed as a flour shop assistant. He lives with both parents and three siblings. His father is now aged 68 and a retired carter, his mother is 58 and his siblings are shown as; William a 23 year old barman, Arthur 19, also a flour shop assistant, and Hugh aged 17 and a general carter. Also present is a boarder, Jane Walker a 60 year old charwoman, born in Liverpool.

His mother died aged 59 in the June quarter of 1901, followed by his father aged 72 in the December Quarter (his age is inconsistent throughout). 

The 1911 Census shows Thomas living with his married sister Elizabeth Ann and her husband Thomas Dawson at 50 Evelyn Street, Kirkdale. By now Thomas aged 31 is employed as a dock labourer.

Thomas enlisted in Liverpool as Rifleman 4392 joining the 6th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment (Liverpool Rifles). He embarked aboard the SS Invicta from Folkestone-Boulogne on 14th July 1916 and reached the 24th Infantry Base Depot on 15th July 1916, he then proceeded to the 11th Entrenching Battalion on 02nd August 1916 and proceeded to the 17th Battalion K.L.R. on 05th August 1916 and was posted to the 17th Bn on 05th September 1916 as Lance Corporal 51586.

He was serving with the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Lance Corporal 51586 when he died on 09th December 1916, aged 37. 

He now rests at Warlincourt Halte Cemetery.

The site of the cemetery was chosen in May 1916. It was used from June 1916 to May 1917 by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, in February 1917 by the 1/1st South Midland, and from April to June 1917 by the 32nd. The whole of plots VII, VIII, IX and X were filled in April and May 1917, the months of the Battles of Arras. From June 1917, the cemetery was practically unused until the fighting of May and June 1918, when field ambulances buried in it. After the Armistice the cemetery was increased by graves brought in from other cemeteries.

The cemetery now contains 1,266 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 29 German and two French war graves.

The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden.

Soldiers Effects to brothers James, John, Henry, William, Arthur, Hughie and sister Elizabeth A. Dawson. There is no record of the award of a Pension.  

Thomas is also commemorated on the Elder Dempster Roll of Honour.

Grateful thanks are extended to Kevin Shannon the author of the book The Liverpool Rifles for providing details of Thomas' service with the 6th Rifles.

We currently have no further information on Thomas Bond, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.