contributed by Lynette Denison, niece
My Uncle, Stanley Robert Bond, was born on the 31 December, 1921, but when he enlisted in the militia on 16 February 1938, he gave his birth year as 1919. As many patriotic young men did in those times, he changed his birth date to serve his country.
He had turned 17, two months before enlisting. Stan was 21 when he died, serving his country aboard “The Centaur”, a non-combatant vessel on a mercy mission to set up field medical units in New Guinea. He was one of the 268 brave, compassionate medical personnel who went down with the ship on 14th May 1943. Stan was an Ambulance Driver in the 2/12th Field Ambulance. His father had been in the civilian Ambulance Service, but he had TB and was too sick to join the forces.
I was born three years after my Uncle Stan died, his first-born niece, never to experience knowing this very special man, but sensing his gentle presence around me from childhood and throughout my later life.
I do not know all of Stan’s background, as it was a very painful subject for my mother and grandmother to talk about. The day my Nan was notified of Stan’s death, she did not show emotion nor did she cry. Two days later she collapsed. Part of her had died with her eldest son.
Over the years these are the things I learnt about my Uncle Stan. Many people said Stan was too good for this world, or an Angel on earth. He had been a salesperson, but his main love was the piano, (along with other musical instruments). He played beautifully and was the pianist in a little known band that was later to become the ABC Orchestra. His favourite piece was Danny Boy. This song was banned from being played in our family (my Nan also played the piano), and the radio switched off whenever this was on, because my Mum and Nan would be in tears. I have only just recently been able to appreciate and listen to Danny Boy myself, as I also felt their pain.
Stan met his beloved Peggy teaching her the piano in Brunswick, Melbourne. They became engaged. My Mum (his only sister, younger than he was), was always included when they went to the pictures and on outings as they were all very close. Stan wanted to marry Peggy before he enlisted, but he didn’t so he could send his pay to his Mum (my Nan). His Dad had T.B., as did his sister, my Mum. Stan also had a very young brother Keith. I never knew my grandfather as he died before I was born.
Nan worked at the munitions factory and didn’t have enough money to support everyone, so Stan put off his marriage to help the family.
Years later Peggy came to visit my Nan. She had married and brought her twin boys. She confided to Nan she had never got over Stan’s death. They shared their grief.
When Stan first joined he played the piano for the troops as he did not want to take a life. But later he felt he wasn’t doing enough so he became an Ambulance Driver. The rest is history.
My Nan sadly outlived all her children and died at 93