John Alfred Bond, 18781907 (aged 28 years)

Name
John Alfred /Bond/
Birth
7 November 1878 35 24
Windsor Street (No 11), Rhyl, FLN, WLS
Latitude: 53.318891 Longitude: -3.491199
Citation details: Births Q4 1878 St.Asaph 11b328
Text:

Q4 1878 St.Asaph 11b328. John Alfred Bond born 7th November at 11 Windsor Street, Rhyl.

Source: 1881 UK Census
Citation details: RG11/3954 Book 20
Baptism
7 November 1878 35 24 (aged 0 days)
Marriage of parents
Citation details: 1879 Q4 Marriage: Wrexham 11b370.
Text:

Have copy certificate. GRO Ref is Q4 1879 Wrexham 11b370.

Birth of a brother
Citation details: Baptisms 1881 Page 99 Entry 758.
Source: GRO Index
Citation details: Births Q4 1880: Ernest Henry Bond (Cooper). Salford 8d 70.
Source: 1881 UK Census
Citation details: RG11/3954 Book 20
Residence
Source: 1881 UK Census
Citation details: RG11/3954 Book 20.
Baptism of a brother
Citation details: Baptisms 1881 Page 99 Entry 758.
Text:

Baptism 11th May 1881: Ernest Henry Bond, son of George Bond (coach painter) & Emma Ann, of 5 Green Street Higher Broughton Manchester. Born October 28th 1880.

Birth of a sister
Citation details: Baptisms 1882 Page 43 Entry 338.
Source: GRO Index
Citation details: Births Q3 1882. Eliza Mary Bond (Cooper). Manchester 8d268.
Baptism of a sister
Citation details: Baptisms 1882 Page 43 Entry 338.
Text:

Baptism 2nd July 1882: Mary Eliza Bond, daughter of George Bond (coach painter) & Emma Ann, of 8 Newburgh Street.

Birth of a sister
8 December 1883
Syke Fold, Rochdale, LAN, ENG
Latitude: 53.638919 Longitude: -2.155269
Death of a sister
Source: GRO Index
Citation details: 1884 Death: Quarter 4. Mary Eliza Bond, aged 2. Rochdale 8e30.
Birth of a sister
Source: GRO Index
Citation details: Births Q1 1856: Louise Bond (Cooper). Rochdale 8e42.
Death of a sister
Source: GRO Index
Citation details: Deaths Q3 1886: Louise Bond, aged 0. Stockport 8a26.
Death of a maternal grandfather
Source: GRO Index
Citation details: Deaths Q4 1888: Samuel Cooper aged 80, Toxteth Park 8b186.
Burial of a maternal grandfather
28 November 1888
St James Cemetery, Liverpool, LAN, ENG
Latitude: 53.397499 Longitude: -2.972024
Citation details: Burial 1888: Page 4129, Entry 47324
Text:

Samuel Cooper, of Melville Street, buried 28 November (1888), aged 60 yrs.

Birth of a brother
Source: GRO Index
Citation details: Births Q2 1889: Edward Francis Bond (Cooper). Stockport 8a32.
Source: 1891 UK Census
Baptism of a brother
Birth of a sister
Source: 1891 UK Census
Source: GRO Index
Citation details: Births Q2 1890: Annie Gertrude Bond (Cooper). Stockport 8a45.
Baptism of a sister
Occupation
cotton mill hand.
1891
Source: 1891 UK Census
Citation details: RG12/2769 f11
Residence
1891
Coronation Street (No 62), Reddish, LAN, ENG
Latitude: 53.421637 Longitude: -2.160911
Source: 1891 UK Census
Citation details: RG12/2796 f11 p17.
Death of a sister
Source: GRO Index
Citation details: Deaths: Q4 1891. Stockport 8a22. Aged 1.
Birth of a sister
Source: GRO Index
Citation details: Births Q2 1893: Alice Bond (Cooper). Stockport 8a64.
Death of a sister
Source: GRO Index
Citation details: Deaths Q2 1893: Alice Bond, aged 0. Stockport 8a43.
Birth of a sister
Source: GRO Index
Citation details: Births Q2 1893: May Bond (Cooper). Stockport 8a64.
Death of a sister
Source: GRO Index
Citation details: Deaths Q2 1893: Mary Bond, aged 0. Stockport 8a43.
Death of a brother
Source: GRO Index
Citation details: Deaths: Q3 1894. Edward Francis Bond, aged 5. Stockport 8a13.
Birth of a sister
Source: GRO Index
Citation details: Births Q1 1896: Edith Emily Bond (Cooper). Stockport 8a27.
Baptism of a sister
Military service
Ist Battalion Manchester Regiment.
1900
Residence
Occupation
Infantry Private.
1901
Source: 1901 UK Census
Citation details: RG13/1105 folio87 page 27.
Residence
Source: 1901 UK Census
Citation details: RG13/1105 folio87 page 27.
Marriage of a parent
Source: GRO Index
Citation details: Marriages Q1 1901 Prestwich 8d361. Walter Pipe = Emma Ann Cooper (Or Margaret Francis Andrew).
Citation details: Marriage 1901: St John the Evangelist, Failsworth: Walter Pipe = Emma Ann Cooper.
Death of a father
Death of a mother
Source: GRO Index
Citation details: Deaths Q3 1906: Emma Ann Pipe. Manchester 8d184.
Marriage
Citation details: N/I Volume339 folio 41.
Text:

St Francis Xavier Church. John Alfred Bond aged 25, bachelor, house decorator residing Calcutta, son of George Wm Bond married Myrtle Gladys Farnworth aged 15, residing Calcutta, daughter of Clarence Montague Farnworth.

Occupation
House decorator
30 January 1907
Citation details: N/I Volume339 folio 41.
Occupation
Guard (East Bengal Railway Company).
26 October 1907
Citation details: Film N1 Volume 345 Folio 197
Burial of a father
Note: NOT Find-a-Grave 152539933 Southern Cem Grave KConsecrated 137.
Ancestors interest
Great Uncle
Descendants interest
Weldon Clan: Bond line
INDI:_FGRAVE
193228824
Death
Cause of death: Malarial fever.
Citation details: Film N1 Volume 345 Folio 197
Text:

John Alfred Bond aged 26. Guard EBS Railway. Died 26/10/1907 from malarial fever. Buried 30/10/1907 General Episcopal Cemetry, Calcutta under Church of England Rites.

Burial
Citation details: Film N1 Volume 345 Folio 197
Birth of a daughter
Citation details: Film N1 volume 344 folio 98.
Baptism of a daughter
Citation details: Film N1 Volume 344 folio 98.
Text:

Gladys Doreen Edith, dau of John Alfred (guard) and Myrtle Gladys Bond. Born November 26th 1907, baptised December 16th 1907 at St Francis-Xavier's, Bow Bazar, Calcutta.

Religion
Church of England
Family with parents
father
MiscPix/DNAman.png
18431901
Birth: about 1843 23 Swaffham, NFK, ENG
Death: after 1901
mother
MiscPix/DNAlady.png
18541906
Birth: 29 September 1854 26 28 Hilton Street (No 31), Toxteth Park, LAN, ENG
Death: 1906Manchester Registration District, LAN, ENG
Marriage Marriage26 July 1879St Giles Parish Church, Wrexham, DEN, WLS
-3 years
elder brother
George & Lydia Bond
18771952
Birth: 9 January 1877 34 22 Lincoln, LIN, ENG
Death: 28 November 1952Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool, LAN, ENG
22 months
himself
18781907
Birth: 7 November 1878 35 24 Windsor Street (No 11), Rhyl, FLN, WLS
Death: 26 October 1907Calcutta, West Bengal, India
2 years
younger brother
Ernest Henry Bond (1880-1963)
18801963
Birth: 28 October 1880 37 26 Salford, LAN, ENG
Death: 21 July 1963Deep Cove, BC, CAN
2 years
younger sister
18821884
Birth: 1882 39 27 Miles Platting, LAN, ENG
Death: 1884Rochdale, LAN, ENG
2 years
younger sister
Bertha Bond (1883-1957)
18831957
Birth: 8 December 1883 40 29 Syke Fold, Rochdale, LAN, ENG
Death: 1957Boothstown, LAN, ENG
3 years
younger sister
18861886
Birth: 1886 43 31 Rochdale, LAN, ENG
Death: 1886Reddish, LAN, ENG
4 years
younger brother
Baptism Entry: Edward Francis Bond
18891894
Birth: 1889 46 34 Reddish, LAN, ENG
Death: 1894Reddish, LAN, ENG
2 years
younger sister
Batism Entry: Annie Gertrude Bond
18901891
Birth: 1890 47 35 Reddish, LAN, ENG
Death: 1891Reddish, LAN, ENG
4 years
younger sister
18931893
Birth: 1893 50 38 Reddish, LAN, ENG
Death: 1893Reddish, LAN, ENG
1 year
younger sister
18931893
Birth: 1893 50 38 Reddish, LAN, ENG
Death: 1893Reddish, LAN, ENG
3 years
younger sister
Edith Emily Bond (1895- )
18951935
Birth: 5 December 1895 52 41 Reddish, LAN, ENG
Death: 9 April 1935Withington Hospital, Nell Lane, Withington, LAN, ENG
Mother’s family with Walter Pipe
stepfather
1846
Birth: about 1846Martock, SOM, ENG
mother
MiscPix/DNAlady.png
18541906
Birth: 29 September 1854 26 28 Hilton Street (No 31), Toxteth Park, LAN, ENG
Death: 1906Manchester Registration District, LAN, ENG
Marriage Marriage1901St John the Evangelist, Failsworth, LAN, ENG
Family with Myrtle Gladys Farnworth
himself
18781907
Birth: 7 November 1878 35 24 Windsor Street (No 11), Rhyl, FLN, WLS
Death: 26 October 1907Calcutta, West Bengal, India
wife
18911973
Birth: 3 May 1891 30 21 Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
Death: 10 October 1973San Francisco, CA, USA
Marriage Marriage30 January 1907St Francis Xavier's Church, Bow Baza, Calcutta, West Bengal, India
10 months
daughter
Gladys Doreen "Cheetah" Carroll (nee Bond)
19071993
Birth: 26 November 1907 29 16 Calcutta, West Bengal, India
Death: 1 September 1993San Francisco, CA, USA
Birth
Citation details: Births Q4 1878 St.Asaph 11b328
Text:

Q4 1878 St.Asaph 11b328. John Alfred Bond born 7th November at 11 Windsor Street, Rhyl.

Source: 1881 UK Census
Citation details: RG11/3954 Book 20
Residence
Source: 1881 UK Census
Citation details: RG11/3954 Book 20.
Occupation
Source: 1891 UK Census
Citation details: RG12/2769 f11
Residence
Source: 1891 UK Census
Citation details: RG12/2796 f11 p17.
Occupation
Source: 1901 UK Census
Citation details: RG13/1105 folio87 page 27.
Residence
Source: 1901 UK Census
Citation details: RG13/1105 folio87 page 27.
Marriage
Citation details: N/I Volume339 folio 41.
Text:

St Francis Xavier Church. John Alfred Bond aged 25, bachelor, house decorator residing Calcutta, son of George Wm Bond married Myrtle Gladys Farnworth aged 15, residing Calcutta, daughter of Clarence Montague Farnworth.

Occupation
Citation details: N/I Volume339 folio 41.
Occupation
Citation details: Film N1 Volume 345 Folio 197
Death
Citation details: Film N1 Volume 345 Folio 197
Text:

John Alfred Bond aged 26. Guard EBS Railway. Died 26/10/1907 from malarial fever. Buried 30/10/1907 General Episcopal Cemetry, Calcutta under Church of England Rites.

Burial
Citation details: Film N1 Volume 345 Folio 197
Note

1878 BIRTH: 7th Nov 1878 at 11 Windsor Street, Rhyl, Flintshire.
Father: George Bond, Coach painter, of 11 Windsor Street, Rhyl.
Mother: Emma Anne Bond (formerly Cooper).
1881 CENSUS: RG11/3954 Book 20. 5 Green St, Salford.
George Bond Head Mar 38. Decorative painter. Born Spalding
Emma Ann Bond Wife Mar 26. - Liverpool
George William Bond Son Unm 4. Scholar. Lincoln
>John Alfred Bond Son Unm 2. - Rhyl
Ernest Henry Bond Son Unm 5m. - Manchester
1891 CENSUS: RG12/2796 f11 p17. 62 Coronation St, Reddish.
George Bond Head Mar 47. Coach painter. Born Spalding
Emma A Bond Wife Mar 36. - Liverpool
George W Bond Son Unm 14. Cotton mill hand. Lincoln
>John A Bond Son Unm 12. Cotton Mill Hand. Rhyl
Ernest H Bond Son Unm 10. Cotton mill hand. Manchester
Bertha Bond. Dau Unm 7. Scholar. Rochdale
Edward F Bond Son Unm 2. - Reddish
Annie G Bond Dau Unm 1. - Reddish
1901 CENSUS: RG13/1105 folio87 page 27. Tourney Barracks, Farnborough.
>John Bond. S 22. Infantry Private. Born Rhyl, Flintshire.
(NB Regiment is NOT listed)
1907 Marriage: India Office Records Film N1 Volume 339 folio 41.
St Francis Xaviers, Bow Bazar, Calcutta.
John Alfred Bond aged 25, house decorator residing Calcutta.
Son of George Wm Bond. (marriage by Banns)
1907 Death: John Alfred Bond aged 26. Guard EBS Railway.
Died 26/10/1907 from malarial fever.
Buried 30/10/1907 General Episcopal Cemetry, Calcutta
under Church of England Rites.

POSSIBLY (but yet-to-be-proved) this is one-and-the same as:
4325 Private John Bond, Ist Battalion Manchester Regiment.
Wounded 6th January 1900, Wagon Hill area, seige of Ladysmith.

THE INDIAN CONNECTION

The Totem Pole

Fed on a diet of “western” films, “cowboys and Indians” was a popular game for boys like me, growing up in the Fifties. So, when stories emerged of family photographs that included Indians, it caused a bit of a stir. Speculation was rife as to what might have conceivably happened whilst Buffalo Bill Cody was touring with his famed “Wild West Show” at around the turn of the century. Certain relatives were remembered as having had slightly darker complexions than the rest of the family. My brother even made plans to erect a totem pole in his front garden. The truth though, was somewhat different, if just as interesting.

The Adventurer

My Great Uncle John Alfred Bond was an ordinary chap, born in 1878 into an ordinary working-class family. His father was a decorative painter by trade, and, in John’s formative years, the family moved around quite a bit, no doubt following the work. Perhaps that’s what gave John a lust for adventure. Though by 1890 the family had settled down on the outskirts of a big city and John, like many others, was holding down a labouring job in a local textile mill.

Maybe it was that lust for adventure, or maybe the then worldwide economic depression threatened his livelihood but, for whatever reason, John “joined up”. So, as the New Year – and the new century – opened, John found himself holding a rifle and defending the town of Ladysmith, under siege from the Boer Army. Times were tough, but things took a turn for the worst in the early morning of January 6th, when the Boers attacked Wagon Hill, right where John was positioned. The attack was successfully repelled, but John was left wounded.

Shipped back to England to recuperate, John left the army behind, but soon put on a different uniform, that of a Guard on the East Bengal Railway. Based in Calcutta (or Kolkata as it’s now known) in January 1907 he married Myrtle Gladys Farnworth, a local girl of Anglo-Indian descent and, in the following November, their daughter Gladys Doreen Edith Bond was born. Tragically, John didn’t live long enough to meet his daughter, as he died of malaria in October that year.

The Black Panther

Brought up in Calcutta by her mother and stepfather, by 1939 Gladys was working as a professional dancer, probably in the Calcutta nightclubs. Although evidently the name Gladys wasn’t anywhere near exotic enough for her profession, so she adopted the Stage Name “Kallecheta” (meaning “Black Panther”) and even claimed to be the niece of the Maharajah & Maharanee of Kucia.

Gladys (or “Cheetah” as she was by now known) soon formed a professional partnership with Billy Carroll, an American dancer born in New Jersey, but raised in Fresno California. By 1940 they had found their way to Shanghai, where they worked as professional dancers in the nightclubs and at the Cathay Hotel.

At that time Shanghai was under Japanese control, but the “foreign concessions” (the areas where most ex-pats lived & worked) were comparatively unaffected by this. However, it was clear that things were changing. So, like many ex-pats, in June 1940 Billy & Cheetah boarded a ship to Manila in the Philippines, and from there on to Los Angeles on the M.V. Dona Aurora.

The ship arrived in Los Angeles on July 15th and their plan was to return to Billy's Fresno home to get married, after which they had a contract to appear at the Biltmore Bowl in Los Angeles. However, Billy & Cheetah weren’t married and Cheetah’s flimsy excuse of “a one-year visit to her friend Mrs R Nelson in Fresno” (Billy’s sister) didn’t wash. So, when Gladys tried to enter the USA in the 'non-quota group', she was detained by the authorities and held for over than a month on Terminal Island, before being deported back to the Philippines.

Billy & Cheetah arrival back in Manila on the MV Dona Nati could have been better timed. Almost immediately, the Japanese Navy blocked the harbour and invaded the Philippines, and the couple found themselves interned in Santo Tomas camp (previously a part of Manila University) which was to be their home for over a year.

Then in 1942 the Japanese offered to return to Shanghai any internee who came from there and, as the Santo Tomas camp was grossly overcrowded, the Carrolls took up the offer. Although Shanghai was of course still under Japanese control, there they found themselves more-or-less free in Shanghai's International Settlement. But in 1943 all that changed and all Allied nationals in China were interned.

The Carrolls were sent to Chapei Camp, where things were tough; but Billy & Cheetah threw themselves into organising entertainment as a distraction from the everyday drudgery. It was here that Billy & Cheetah were at last married and where their daughter Sharon was born.

The Carrolls were eventually freed from internment in 1945 and celebrated their freedom with appearances at the “Argentina Nite Club” (claimed in the Shanghai Herald to be "Shanghai's only American-run Night-Club & Cocktail Lounge”). Although it had a chequered history and had once been the haunt of Nazi agents and Japanese officers.

Billy, Cheetah & Sharon at last made it back to California the following year on board the Troop Ship USS Hugh L Scott. Their arrival in Seattle on March 5th was captured by a Press Agency photographer.

The Photographs

Those old photographs never have shown up, though several people do remember seeing them. But at least we do now know the story behind them.

In the First World War, my Grandfather Samuel Wilson Weldon fought in the Dardanelles (Turkey) & then Mesopotamia (now Iraq). In 1919, after the war ended, his Regiment stopped over in India en route home and Samuel took leave to visit his Sister-in-Law Myrtle and niece Gladys in Calcutta. What I’d give to see those photos now.

With thanks to:

  • The British Library (London): India Office Records
  • Families in British India Society
  • China Families website
  • Desmond Power, author of “Little Foreign Devil”
  • Greg Leck, author of “Captives of the Empire”
  • Catherine Morison Rehart, author of “The Valley's Legends & Legacies (Volume 2)”
  • Bernard Wasserstein, author of "Secret War in Shanghai"