Henry Bond

Husband of Martha Bond of 7a Lime Grove, Newark.

H.M.S. "Bulwark", Royal Navy. Died amongst 700, when the ship exploded four miles west of Sheerness on the estuary of the River Medway, just a few weeks into the war. The explosion was ultimately thought to have been caused by accidental ignition of ammunition, rather than enemy action. The ship virtually disappeared due to the explosion and the streets of Sheerness were showered with debris, thus very few bodies were recovered. On the afternoon of Thursday, November 26th, 1914, First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill made the following statement to the House of Commons : ‘I regret to say I have some bad news for the house. The Bulwark battleship, which was lying in Sheerness (on the River Medway) this morning, blew up at 7.35 o'clock. The Vice and Rear Admiral, who were present, have reported their conviction that it was an internal magazine explosion which rent the ship asunder. There was apparently no upheaval in the water, and the ship had entirely disappeared when the smoke had cleared away... I regret to say the loss of life is very severe. Only 12 men are saved. All the officers and the rest of the crew, who, I suppose, amounted to between 700 and 800, have perished. I think the House would wish me to express on their behalf the deep sorrow with which the House heard the news, and their sympathy with those who have lost their relatives and friends.’ Bond's body was not recovered and he is commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire.