Private Milton Bond
8434 Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
Killed in Action 27th July 1916, aged 26
Enlisted in Burnley
Lived at 33 Ingham Street, Padiham
Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France
Burnley Express 9th August 1916

Padiham Weaver Killed Repelling a Counter-attack (Burnley Express 9/8/1916 )

On Monday morning the parents of Pte. Milton Bond, who reside at 33, Ingham Street, Padiham, received notification from an officer of the company that their son was killed in action on July 27th. The deceased soldier was in the East Lancashire Regiment, Machine Gun Section, and a popular member of his company. He was 26 years of age and previous to joining the colours was a weaver at Messrs. Noble’s Albion Mill, Padiham, where he held the post of weavers’ representative. The letter states:

“France July 30th, Dear Mrs Bond, It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son, Milton, in action on the night of the 27th. There had been a British advance during the day, and our guns were ordered to stand by at all costs to repel a counter-attack which was expected. It was in the performance of his duty that your son met his death. I can assure you that we feel his loss with you, very deeply, as he was a most reliable man under all circumstances, and always cheerful and ready to give his best for all the company. – Sec Lieut. Jas. Wilson."

Pte. Bond has another brother in the Army, Pte. George Wilfred Bond, but at present he is in hospital at Wellington, Madras, India, suffering from dysentery. Two years ago the family lost another son in a cycle accident in Green Lane, Padiham.