William Bond (aviator)
Encyclopedia
Captain William Arthur Bond MC*
(27 June 1889-22 July 1917) was a First World War
flying ace
credited with five aerial victories.
Bond was wounded while serving in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
in the Dardanelles in 1916. After transferring to the Royal Flying Corps
, Bond was posted to fly Nieuport
fighters in No. 40
Squadron in early 1917. He flew Nieuport No. B1545 to five victories in a month, beginning on 10 May and ending on 9 June 1917.
He was appointed flight commander in July. On the 22nd, he was killed in action over Sallaumines
while flying Nieuport No. B1688. Cause of his death is disputed; he is said to have either fallen to the guns of a two-seater observation plane from FA 235, or to anti-aircraft fire.
After his death, his wife Aimee (later Aimée Stuart) wrote An Airman's Wife about him.
"Winged Warriors - Derbyshire Fighter Pilots in World War 1" Barry M Marsden Ryestone Publications 2003 ISBN 0950999938.
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(27 June 1889-22 July 1917) was a First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with five aerial victories.
Bond was wounded while serving in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was a regiment of the British Army. It officially existed from 1881 to 1968, but its predecessors go back to 1755. The regiment's traditions and history are now maintained by The Rifles.-The 51st Foot:...
in the Dardanelles in 1916. After transferring to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
, Bond was posted to fly Nieuport
Nieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
fighters in No. 40
Squadron in early 1917. He flew Nieuport No. B1545 to five victories in a month, beginning on 10 May and ending on 9 June 1917.
He was appointed flight commander in July. On the 22nd, he was killed in action over Sallaumines
Sallaumines
-Administration:Sallaumines is located in the Pas-de-Calais department. It belongs to the Lens-Liévin interommunality which consists of 36 communes, with a total population of 250,000 inhabitants.-History:...
while flying Nieuport No. B1688. Cause of his death is disputed; he is said to have either fallen to the guns of a two-seater observation plane from FA 235, or to anti-aircraft fire.
After his death, his wife Aimee (later Aimée Stuart) wrote An Airman's Wife about him.
Honours and awards
- 24 June 1916 - Temp. 2nd Lt. William Arthur Bond, 1st Bn (attd 7th Bn.) Yorks. L.I. is awarded the Military CrossMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
For conspicuous gallantry when on patrol. An enemy patrol was met and bombs were exchanged, one of which wounded both 2nd Lt. Bond and another officer, The enemy retired and opened machine-gun fire, which again wounded the other officer. 2nd Lt. Bond and Private Garnett at great risk brought him in over 200 yards under heavy machine-gun fire.
- 16 August 1917 - T./Lt. William Arthur Bond, MC, Yorks LI and RFC is awarded a bar to the Military CrossMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While on patrol he attacked at close range a hostile machine, which was sent down out of control. Shortly afterwards he attacked another, which stalled and fell sideways. On another date he flew over the lines at about 50 feet and attacked a hostile balloon, bringing it down in flames.
Further reading
An Airman's Wife: A True Story of Lovers Separated by War. Aimee McHardy. Grub Street, 2007. ISBN 1904943942, 9781904943945."Winged Warriors - Derbyshire Fighter Pilots in World War 1" Barry M Marsden Ryestone Publications 2003 ISBN 0950999938.