Bond, Jack – Grantham man awarded Légion d’honneur

John Henry Bond (b1920)

Born in Welby Street, Jack Bond and went to nearby Welby Street School.

As a 19-year-old, he was conscripted into the 4th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment TA at the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939.

He was transferred to the Royal Signals in France – and at Dunkirk his group had the task of keeping communications from France to Dover Castle during the evacuation.

The final message received was to tell them there were no boats to take them across the Channel.

With two colleague, he hid in the sand dunes as the Germans approached.

They hid behind large timbers and watched as others were taken prisoners of war.

They continued to hide out for a couple of nights, when they spotted a boat a Royal Naval yacht,  HMS Galzar, which took them home.

His bravery recognised, Jack became the driver for three generals who succeeded as General Officers Commanding the 11th Armoured Division – General Hobart, General Burrows and General Roberts.

But Jack was to return to the French coast as part of the D-Day landings at Gold Beach.

He continued on through France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and up to the Danish border, until at last victory was declared.

For his bravery, he was awarded the Légion d’honneur in 2015 received the medal in the post.

After the war, Jack returned to Grantham and worked for Aveling Barford, becoming  chief engineer, then  facilities manager at Stoke Rochford Hall for 23 years.

When Jack retired, he and his wife, Diane, moved to the Cleethorpes area.