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Australia

Ernest was the son of Henry James BOND & Rachel Caroline VIGAR and was born on the 7th of October 1895 in Truro, SA.

His parents were married on the 6th of January 1886 at the residence of Mr Owen Mobbs, in Wheal Barton, near Truro, SA.

His father was the son of Thomas BOND & Rebecca LOCKYER and was born on the 29th of August 1861 in Wheal Barton, near Truro, SA.
His mother was the daughter of Edward Valentine VIGAR & Mary Anne MOBBS and was born on the 5th of July 1861 in Truro, SA.

Ernest was the fifth child born into this family of 8 children.

His father was a mail contractor and road builder in Truro.

On the 4th of August 1903 Ernest got too near the heels of a horse, which kicked out and caught him in the head, causing serious results.
Dr Morton was called in and he stitched the wound and then Ernest was taken to the Kapunda Hospital.
The kick from the horse caused a compound fracture to his skull and Dr Glynn performed an operation to relieve the pressure on his brain.

Ernest attended the Truro Public School and upon leaving school he became a farm hand.

His brother Reuben enlisted into the AIF on the 24th of January 1916 in Western Australia and was allotted the service number 2384 and posted to the 51st Battalion, 5th Reinforcements.

At the age of 21, Ernest enlisted into the 1st AIF on the 14th of February 1916 in Adelaide and allotted the service number 626 and posted to E Company, 2nd Depot Battalion in Exhibition Camp.
On the same day his brother Claude stood 2 men back in the same line as Ernest and enlisted into the AIF and was allotted the service number 628 and posted with Ernest.

On the 7th of March Ernest and Claude were transferred to the newly raised 43rd Battalion, D Company at Morphettville Camp.

On the 21st of April a public social was tendered to Ernest & Claude in the Truro Institute.

Ernest & Claude embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT A19 Afric at 2pm on the 9th of June 1916 and they both now realised that this was the commencement of the long, long trail, the end of which none could foretell.

On the 17th of July 1916 a large number of Truro residents gathered at the Reserve to witness the planting of trees in honour of their local soldiers.
A plate bearing the name of the soldier was placed at the base of the tree and Ernest, Reuben & Claude’s name were amongst these planted trees.

Reuben embarked from Fremantle on board HMAT A66 Uganda on the 20th of September 1916.

Ernest and Claude remained together and served in France until Claude was Killed in Action on the 4th of October 1917 near Zonnebeke.
Ernest sufferer a Gun Shot Wound to his left thigh the same and was admitted into the 11th Australian Field Ambulance, before being transferred to the 44th Casualty Clearing Station at Nine Elms, near Poperinghe.

Claude was buried at Zonnebeke the following day but Ernest was not aware that his brother had been killed and was evacuated on No.27 Ambulance Train and admitted into the 22nd General Hospital in Camiers. He was the evacuated to England and admitted into the Norfolk War Hospital in Norwich.

After 3 years overseas Ernest embarked from England on board HT Nestor on the 20th of May 1919, disembarking in Adelaide on the 29th of June.

In July 1919 a welcome home social was held for Ernest in the Truro Institute.

Ernest was discharged from the AIF on the 14th of August 1919.

Ernest married Olive Verona SANDERS.
Olive was the daughter of Charles SANDERS & Jessie SAMPSON and was born on the 26th of June 1892 in Brunswick, VIC.

Ernest gained employment as a linesman and in September 1923 Ernest purchased a home at 24 Le Hunt Avenue, Highbury.

They then welcomed their first child; Beryl Beatrice, on the 26th of June 1925.

Ross Graham was then born on the 2nd of March 1932, followed by Keith Mostyn, on the 5th of June 1934.

When Olive’s father died in March 1932, they rented their home in Highbury and moved to Torrens Vale, near Yankalilla to help Olive’s mother on the farm.

With the outbreak of WW2 his brother, Lancelot James enlisted into the 2/2nd Guard Battalion (SX7734) in the 3rd of July 1940.

Ernest died on the 12th of July 1944 in the South Coast District Hospital, Victor Harbor and was buried in the Yankalilla Cemetery on the 14th; Row R, Plot 165.

Olive died on the 27th of December 1971 in Yankalilla and was buried in the Yankalilla Cemetery; Row R, Plot 165, with Ernest.

Military

At the age of 21, Ernest enlisted into the 1st AIF on the 14th of February 1916 in Adelaide and allotted the service number 626 and posted to E Company, 2nd Depot Battalion in Exhibition Camp with his brother Claude.
He listed his mother, of Truro, as his next of kin.

On the 7th of March Ernest and Claude were transferred to the newly raised 43rd Battalion, D Company at Morphettville Camp.

The Battalion consisted of men who had but recently enlisted, and were practically raw recruits, most of whom had joined up in January and February.

Early in April musketry was commenced throughout the Battalion with each section forming a separate squad and undergoing ten days progressive instruction in the art of handling the rifle, the course being completed by the firing of an application and grouping practice on the miniature range in the dry bed of the Sturt River.
An open range was prepared in the sand hills between Glenelg and Henley, where for two days portions of the Battalion were engaged with the service rifle; but the working of these targets proved so slow and tedious that arrangements were made to secure the use of the butts at Port Adelaide, special trains conveying the troops to and from this place.
Two complete days firing was given to each company, during which grouping, application, snap shooting, and rapid practices at 100, 200, and 300 yards were completed.
Ernest & Claude gained four days leave, known as "long leave," on the 19th and this embraced the Easter Holidays, this being the last furlough granted prior to the Battalion's departure from Australia. The free weekends still being maintained and to those living within thirty miles of Adelaide, when desired, was extended to Monday morning.

The Battalion attended a number of functions and ceremonies, chief among which were the presentation of colours at Glenelg, the Military Tattoo on the Jubilee Oval, and the farewell dinner provided in the Exhibition Building by the Cheer-up Society; while occasional trips to the theatre were arranged, special trains usually being provided for the conveyance of the Unit to and from Morphettville. A certain amount of amusement was supplied within the camp on several occasions by concert parties.

During the whole period of training, equipment and clothing were gradually issued and they were fitted out for departure, signing for every article received and having numerous inspections to ascertain what shortages existed. The health of the men also received continuous attention, vaccination and two inoculations being administered in the early days, while dental inspections and subsequent treatment rectified any defects of the mouth.

The first week of June was spent in final preparations to embark on the 9th of June, the quartermasters and clerical departments being the most busily engaged. A final pay was drawn and as much leave as possible granted and by the 8th all preparations for embarkation had been completed, and the transport section had left for the Outer Harbour.

Dawn of June 9th was breaking behind the Mount Lofty Ranges when reveille sounded, rousing the whole camp to the activities of final preparations for departure, including the handing in of camp equipment and stores.

At 9.40 a.m. the first train, bearing Headquarters and A and B Companies, left Morphettville Station followed half-an-hour later by a second train with the remainder of the Battalion, including Ernest & Claude.
On reaching Port Adelaide the train proceeded by the old route down St. Vincent Street, where a large and enthusiastic crowd assembled to bid farewell to the unit. An hour later the Outer Harbour was reached and there followed a rapid embarkation on board their transport, HMAT A19 Afric.

Ernest & Claude embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT A19 Afric at 2pm on the 9th of June 1916 and they both now realised that this was the commencement of the long, long trail, the end of which none could foretell.

The journey through The Bight was cold and rough, causing sickness to 70 per cent of the men. Land was first sighted at daybreak of the 13th of June and after passing through King George Sound they anchored in Albany Harbour at 11.30 am, when coaling immediately commenced.
The next day the boat drew alongside the wharf, and all were allowed ashore for a few hours.
At noon the same day the journey was resumed and soon the shores of their homeland receded from view.
That night it was learnt that the next port of call would be Colombo. As the result of a long period of calm weather that followed the departure from Albany, it was possible to conduct training, consisting of musketry, physical exercises, bayonet fighting, and boat drill, limited in extent by the small area of deck space available.

As the tropics were approached, permission to sleep on deck was granted, and a large majority, including Ernest & Claude availed themselves of the privilege. By day a minimum amount of clothing was worn, the heavier uniform being abandoned for the lighter and more comfortable suit of dungarees.

Early on the morning of June 26th the island of Ceylon was sighted and by 10 a.m. the transport anchored in the harbour of Colombo. Coal barges were soon drawn along side the boat and coaling operations, conducted by the natives, commenced.
That afternoon they were taken ashore on lighters and marched to the military barracks in Colombo. There a wet canteen was placed at the disposal of the troops and native vendors of views, fruit, etc., offered their goods. As this was the first opportunity for some weeks of purchasing articles from other than the ship's canteen a brisk business resulted.

The following day the journey resumed at 3.45 p.m.
The voyage to Suez differed very little from the previous fortnight, except that during the four days in the Red Sea extreme heat was experienced, causing exhaustion to several of the stokers, whose work was undertaken for two days by volunteers from the troops.
By noon of July 11th Suez was reached and all preparations for disembarkation were completed.

Orders were, however, received from the military authorities that the journey was to be continued through the Mediterranean and at 4 pm an entrance was made into the Canal, the interesting surroundings of which attracted attention for sixteen hours. Along the bank were encamped Australian and English troops, who formed a portion of the Canal Garrison. An opportunity to converse with some of these was afforded by the boat being delayed for an hour at Ismalia.

By 8.30 am on the 12th the Canal was cleared and entry made into Port Said, where a transport conveying English troops southward was passed. Natives were again employed in coaling, which caused much inconvenience to those on board, as no leave ashore was granted. Numerous hawkers in small dinghies visited the boat, but not being allowed on deck were obliged to transact their sales by means of rope and basket.
Here an A 4.7 naval gun was mounted aft and manned by Royal Navy gunners and on departure at 2pm on the 13th, H.M. destroyer "Telmar," which had seen service with the Australians on Gallipoli, acted as their escort. These protective measures against submarines were augmented by the pre cautions of constant changes of course, screening of lights, and increase of sentries, whose duty was the outlook for enemy craft.

On passing Malta, the "Telmar" was relieved by a larger destroyer, but before departing semaphored "Australians, good-bye and good luck," on receipt of which cheers were interchanged between transport and escort. Daily routine on board continued until Marseilles was approached on the evening of July 19th, when at 10 pm the pilot was taken aboard, but the harbour was not entered until eight o'clock the next morning. This ended a six weeks successful journey on the "Afric".

At 3 pm on July 20th they disembarked and moved to Arran-Point Station, where they immediately entrained and at 5.35 pm left for Havre.
The journey through Southern France was most interesting, new types of villages, cultivation, and railway organisation being introduced. The scenery, especially that of the Rhone Valley, was superb, and the bright mid summer day showed the surroundings at their best.

A halt was made near Avignon, where hot tea and rations were issued, and on resumption of the journey the troops quickly settled down for the night. At 8 am on the 21st the train passed through Lyons, and at 3.45 pm Dijon was reached, and the French Red Cross workers served tea and cake to the Battalion.
Breakfast next morning was partaken of thirteen miles from Paris, Juvisy, from which, after a halt of two hours, the journey continued through Versailles, along the Seine Valley to Nantes, where a break was made for another meal, thence to Rouen and Havre.
Here the Battalion detrained and marched to a Rest Camp, where most of the men spent a cold night on cobbles. The following afternoon embarkation for England took place, and at dusk the Channel transport commenced its six-hour journey, reaching Southampton at daybreak and they disembarked at 7.30 am.
After two hours waiting on the wharf they were entrained for Amesbury Station on Salisbury Plain, where the Battalion detrained. An hour later Lark Hill was reached and the whole afternoon devoted to settling down in No.12 Camp. This was the training area for the 43rd Battalion prior to its departure for the front.
The first few days were spent in settling down in this new camp, which was one of about fifty of similar design located at Lark Hill, most of which were so fitted as to accommodate a complete battalion.

They spent the next few months here in training and towards the end of November, when they had been fully equipped for overseas, a divisional march, covering a distance of eighteen miles, was accomplished, the full issue of clothing and equipment, less blankets, being carried, the day proving most strenuous on account of the oppressive heat.

During the first three weeks of November final preparations and issue of equipment for the trip overseas were completed, and the dates of departure of the Division were expected to cover the last week of November 1916, the 43rd Battalion eventually sailing on the 25th, prior to which the camp was thoroughly cleaned and the bulk of stores returned.

The early morning of November 25th was a repetition of June 9th. For the purpose of the move the Battalion was divided into three parties, leaving Lark Hill Camp in time to entrain at Amesbury Station by 7.15am. The weight of equipment carried by each man was far in excess of that borne on any previous march, as in addition to full marching order, two blankets, 150 rounds of ammunition, with steel and gas helmets, made a burden in all cases exceeding 80 lb.
At dusk the trip across the Channel commenced and a heavy sea was experienced, causing sea sickness to many on board, while a bleak wind with frequent showers of hail made the entry into the harbour at Le Havre and the period of waiting intensely cold.

Disembarkation and unloading commenced at 11 am and during the afternoon there followed the memorable route march to No.1 Rest Camp, situated on a hill about three miles from the wharf. Here they remained for the night, leaving at 6.30am next morning for the railway yards, where a troop train, consisting chiefly of cattle trucks, was waiting, and at 11.30am they left for Bailleul.
The journey, via Rouen, Abbeville, Boulogne, Calais, and St. Omer, occupied thirty hours, halts being made en route for the issue of rations and hot drinks.
Detraining was completed before dark, but by the time the unit moved from the station night had set in. For the march to billets, packs and blankets were carried by motor lorry. Locating these billets caused great difficulty, owing to the lack of information and absence of guides, and it was not until after 10 pm that they were settled for the night.

On the 16th of December in Ballieul, Ernest and Claude were charged with disobedience of orders and forfeited 7 days pay.
On the 21st of December Ernest was admitted into the 11th Australian Field Ambulance Dressing Station, suffering from the Mumps.
The following day he was transferred to the 7th General Hospital in St Omer where he spent Christmas 1916 before being discharged back to his Battalion on the 12th of January 1917 at Armentieres.

They spent February 1917 in and out of the front line and whilst in billets the raiding school continued training in bayonet fighting, physical exercises, patrolling, study of aeroplane photographs and practice of raiding formations on dummy trenches.

By April they had moved to Ploegsteert Wood and it was here on the 26th of April that Claude suffered a Gun Shot Wound to his left shoulder and was admitted into the 9th Australian Field Ambulance Dressing Station.

On the 1st of May they left Armentieres and joined the remainder of the Brigade at Les Trois Tilleuls, proceeding through Steenwerck and Vieux Berquin to Petit See Bois. The following day they moved through Pradelles, Borre, and Hazebrouck to billets at Ebblinghem.

On the 14th of May Claude rejoined the Battalion and by now they were in Tournai, Belgium.

After 2 weeks here they commenced their journey back to Armentiers and by the 7th of June had moved to Messines and took part in the Battle.

Throughout the whole time in this area enemy aircraft proved exceptionally active, especially in the early morning, when low-flying planes engaged trenches and movement with machine gun fire.
The famous Red Circus, commanded by Baron von Richthoven, was stationed in the area and was a constant source of worry to both infantry and artillery.

As casualties were caused daily, chiefly from shell fire, and the strain of sitting under continuous bombardments told on the nerves of everybody, the relief by the 41st Battalion on July 5th, and the return to the somewhat quieter support area on the banks of the Douve, was truly welcome.

They then moved into the Warneton area and their objective was Windmill Post which over looked the low ground east of Messines and consisted of the remains of an old French mill, surrounded by tall trees and hedges, situated on Warneton-Gapaard Road.

Having completed their task after many weeks, they was relieved by the 41st Battalion and they moved back by small parties to Douve Camp, at which they arrived in an utterly exhausted condition, were given a hot meal, and, throwing aside their mud-soaked clothing, "turned in" for a well-earned rest.

They remained here resting and training until the 2nd of October when they entrained for Ypres for the offensive.
On the 4th of October they advanced to take up the front line in No Man’s Land and this was the last time that Ernest saw Claude during this advancement.

Claude was Killed in Action during this advance on the 4th of October 1917 and Ernest sufferer a Gun Shot Wound to his left thigh and was admitted into the
11th Australian Field Ambulance, before being transferred to the 44th Casualty Clearing Station at Nine Elms, near Poperinghe.

Claude was buried at Zonnebeke the following day but Ernest was not aware of his brothers death and was evacuated on No.27 Ambulance Train and admitted into the 22nd General Hospital in Camiers.
Two days later Ernest was evacuated to England and admitted into the Norfolk War Hospital in Norwich.

After nearly 3 weeks here Ernest was transferred to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary in Dartford on the 26th of October. On the 20th of November he was discharged to No.3 Command Depot in Hurdcott.
Six days later he was admitted into the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital in Bulford, suffering from VD.
Ernest spent Christmas 1917 here in hospital before he was discharged to the Overseas Training Battalion in Longbridge, Deverill.

He proceeded back to France on the 8th of May 1918 and rejoined his Battalion 2 days later at Querrieu. They remained here in training until the 20th of May when they moved into the front line at Bois l’ Abbe and then onto Villers-Bretonneux on the 29th.
On the 4th of June they were moved back to the reserve line trenches and it was here 2 days later that Ernest was admitted into the 10th Australian Field Ambulance and then onto the 5th Casualty Clearing Station at Picquigny, suffering with Influenza.

After 6 days here Ernest rejoined his Battalion and by the end of June they had moved to Hill 86 and were then relieved on the 27th, moving to the Allonville area the next day to consolidate for the Battle of Hamel.

As the Brigade had not previously worked with tanks, practices were given in advancing with them at their training ground near Vaux en Amenois, where they gained an insight into their tactics and methods of advance.
They then moved into the Hamel area and at two minutes past three on the morning of the 4th of July, light harassing fire was opened, with the object of assisting the aircraft in drowning the noise of approaching tanks, and eight minutes later an intense barrage fire opened, under cover of which the attack commenced.
In two hours, all objectives were obtained, and 1,400 German prisoners were captured, as well as many weapons.

They then spent mid July in the Messines area before moving into camp near Nouve Eglise for rest and training.
Whilst here, on the 21st of July Ernest was admitted into the 8th Australian Field Ambulance and then onto the 12th Casualty Clearing Station at Longpré, suffering from VD.
Six days later he was evacuated on No.38 Ambulance Train to the 39th General Hospital in Le Havre.

Ernest spent nearly 2 months in hospital before he was discharged and rejoined his Battalion on the 27th of September who were in camp near Poperinghe.

On the 3rd of October 1918 they withdrew to an area south-east of Aizecourt Le Haut, where bivouacs were erected and maintained for 2 days and then a march was made to Peronne. They entrained for the back areas of Airaines where billets had been allotted in the village of Metigny.

This was the commencement of the long, hoped-for, rest in back areas and no one could say that it was not well earned. Since moving from Selles the Battalion had never been away from shell-fire, and apart from operating in 11 attacks they had spent 40 days in the front line, 42 in support, and 109 in reserve, during which time their strength, in spite of reinforcements from base, had decreased from 42 officers and 855 other ranks to 37 officers and 420 other ranks.

As their strength and spirit gradually recovered, military training was correspondingly increased, for it had to be realised that at any time the Battalion might be called to the forward areas, and that efficiency must therefore be maintained, although the drill and parade ground exercises had become very irksome after so long a period in the battle zone.

The village of Metigny was a small and dirty place, wherein a very poor type of billets was obtainable, so that on October 21st, after the dissolution of the 42nd Battalion, its village, Vergies, was taken over by the 43rd, providing far more suitable accommodation and possessing environments far superior to those of Metigny.

It was while at this new village that the Armistice was signed on the 11th of November 1918, the Battalion being engaged in firing on the open range on the eventful day, but received no definite information of the cessation of hostilities until the arrival of the daily papers the following day and a holiday being given next day to celebrate the occasion.

From then onwards the hours of training were diminished and combined with the educational scheme that had been instituted for the purpose of preparing the soldiers for their civil occupations, these classes growing until they formed the chief work of the Battalion, embracing practically all branches of trades and professions, either within the unit, at Corps Schools in France, or private enterprises in England.

They then moved onto Ramburelles, where quarters were to be occupied until demobilisation, extensive improvements being carried out to permit of the greatest possible comfort during the tedious months of waiting for return to Australia.
On the arrival at Ramburelles the inhabitants exhibited a general hostile attitude towards the Battalion and were unwilling to assist in any way towards the comfort of the men.

After settling down in new quarters, arrangements were made for the Christmas dinner 1918 that was to be held in the marquee erected on the village reserve, the meal consisting of turkey, ham, vegetables, plum pudding, wine and beer, being served on the afternoon of the 25th, officers and sergeants acting as waiters. As on the previous festive occasion, the expense of the dinner was borne by proceeds of the labours of the 43rd Trench Comforts Society of South Australia.

In order to maintain health, discipline, and fitness, a limited amount of drill was still undertaken, while recreation formed a very large portion of the daily routine, cross-country runs, football, or walking matches taking place each day when weather permitted.
For the purpose of occupying the long winter evenings, indoor games, cards, draughts, and chess were run on organised lines, lectures and discussions were arranged, and concert parties and pierrot troupes procured when available, while the addition of warm Nissen huts and fires in billets enabled a certain amount of comfort to be secured during the cold spells of weather, when the ground for days was frozen hard.

Ernest embarked for England on the 7th of April and was allocated to Group 3 whilst awaiting embarkation home to Australia.

Ernest embarked from England on board HT Nestor on the 20th of May 1919, disembarking in Adelaide on the 29th of June.

Ernest was discharged from the AIF on the 14th of August 1919 and awarded the British War & Victory Medals.