Diss Family History Group

William BOND, son of John BOND (1846-1929) and Mary Ann BANHAM (1847-1937), was born on 7 April 1878 in Fersfield, Norfolk - mother’s maiden name BANHAM. He was baptised on 23 June 1878 in Fersfield - parents John (labourer) and Mary Ann. On 12 May 1896 William was attested into the army at Diss, aged 17 years 9 months, and joined the 3rd Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment, Private 3531. He did not remain in the military for long as he was “discharged by purchase” on 10 March 1897. On 7 September 1914 William was pronounced fit for service and enlisted on 8 September at Great Yarmouth, joining the Royal Garrison Artillery, Private 2119. (It was noted that he passed a course in cooking - was he an army cook?) He served on home soil till 24 January 1917, then he joined the British Expeditionary Force in France, returning to home soil on 17 April 1917. From 19 April to 15 May 1917 he was hospitalised with pleurisy. On 6 October 1918 he was transferred to the 431st Agricultural Company, Labour Corps., Private 662118. He was transferred to the Class "Z" Army Reserve on demobilization on 1 April 1919. It is possible that at the time of his death William he was living near to North Walsham and the death was registered there in Q2 1963. There is also a possible memorial in Cromer Cemetery.

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Last updated: Wed, 19 Aug 2026
BOND, William
Family Historian Individual Narrative William BOND, son of John BOND (1846-1929) and Mary Ann BANHAM (1847-1937), was born on 7 April 1878 in Fersfield, Norfolk - mother’s maiden name BANHAM. He was baptised on 23 June 1878 in Fersfield - parents John (labourer) and Mary Ann. The 1881 Census (held on 3 Apr 1881) shows William at Hall Lane in Fersfield - 2, living with parents John (34, farm labourer) and Mary Ann (33), and siblings Josiah (half-brother, (14 farm labourer), Ely (11, scholar), Jane )6, scholar) and Frederick (11..... View full FH text (See notes below) View Family Tree (See notes below)
Birth:	07.04.1878 : Fersfield, Norfolk : mother’s maiden name BANHAM. : 1878 Q2 Guiltcross Norfolk Vol 4B Page 248
Baptism:	23.6.1878 : Fersfield, Norfolk : parents John (labourer) and Mary Ann.
Banns:	05.09.1909, 12.09.1909, 19.09.1909 : South Lopham, Norfolk : both of this parish.
Marriage:	02.10.1909 at South Lopham, Norfolk to Laura LUSHER : spouse a widow.
1881 Census:	Fersfield, Norfolk : 2, living with parents John (34, farm labourer) and Mary Ann (33), and siblings Josiah (half-brother, (14 farm labourer), Ely (11, scholar), Jane )6, scholar) and Frederick (11m). (RG11 Piece 1971 Folio 99 Page 7 Schedule 1188)
1891 Census:	South Lopham, Norfolk : 12, agricultural labourer), living with parents John (44, shepherd) and Mary Ann (43), and siblings Frederick (10, scholar), George (6, scholar) and Eliza (3). (RG12 Piece 1548 Folio 152 Page 3 Schedule 26)
1911 Census:	South Lopham, Norfolk : 363, farm labourer, living with wife Laura (47) and step children Alice May (12, scholar) and Herbert Charles (9, scholar). (RG14 PN11447 RD230 SD2 ED5 SN5)
1911 Census:	Great Cowbridge, Essex : 43y 3m, married, engine driver for Essex Steam Rolling. (He was living alone, his wife was living in The Street, South Lopham with her son, Herbert Charles HOLDEN, from her first marriage.) (RG15 Piece 08953 Schedule 112 RD 193 RS 1 ED 12)
1939 Reg.:	Royal Air Force Station, Back Row, Mildenhall, Suffolk : b. 07.04.1878, widowed, roller driver. : roller driver (RG101/6675F/002/26 Letter Code: TZIS)
Death:	1963
Military:	On 12 May 1896 William was attested into the army at Diss, aged 17 years 9 months, and joined the 3rd Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment, Private 3531. He did not remain in the military for long as he was “discharged by purchase” on 10 March 1897. On 7 September 1914 William was pronounced fit for service and enlisted on 8 September at Great Yarmouth, joining the Royal Garrison Artillery, Private 2119. (It was noted that he passed a course in cooking - was he an army cook?) He served on home soil till 24 January 1917, then he joined the British Expeditionary Force in France, returning to home soil on 17 April 1917. From 19 April to 15 May 1917 he was hospitalised with pleurisy. On 6 October 1918 he was transferred to the 431st Agricultural Company, Labour Corps., Private 662118. He was transferred to the Class “Z” Army Reserve on demobilization on 1 April 1919.
Notes:	[In the British Army in the 1890s, “discharged by purchase” meant a regular soldier paid a sone of money to buy their release from military service before their contract ended. Costs were usually around £18 after the initial three months of service. Many recruits used this option if they disliked army life or changed their minds.]
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