Description
Queen’s South Africa, 4 bars, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, SA 1902, 5130 Private Phillip Pond, Royal Fusiliers, who was convicted of desertion after spending 1 year on the run from the Army.
Officially impressed: “5130 Pte P. Pond. Rl: Fusiliers.”
Confirmed on the medal roll, with copy service papers.
Philiip returned to the Royal Fusiliers during World War 1 and never returned home, he is now buried in Dunkirk Cemetery having Died of Wounds on 27th June 1917.
Born in St Giles London during 1875, son of George and Elizabeth Pond of Holborn London.
Attested for service on 2nd November 1894, having been released from the Royal Fusiliers Militia to sign on for full time service.
Whilst serving with 2nd Bn Royal Fusiliers, on 18th 18th November 1896, he was declared as a Deserter and disappeared, he was gone from the regiment for 339 days.
Eventually he was recovered and imprisoned on 23rd October 1897.
On 10th November 1897 after 18 days awaiting trial in prison he was “Convicted and Imprisoned for Desertion, Losing by neglect his equipment and Fraudulent Enlistment.” It looks like he had gone and signed up with another regiment probably under an alias, assumed name.
He would spent a hefty prison sentence of 273 days.
He transferred to 3 Bn on 1st April 1898 and was first shipped overseas during 1899 he saw the following postings:
“Hounslow, 2nd Nov 1894 – 6th Jan 1899
Malta, 7th Jan 1899 – 21st Feb 1899
East indies, 22nd Feb 1899 – 4th Dec 1900
Burma, 5th Dec 1900 – 28th Feb 1902
South Africa, 1st March 1902 – 20th August 1902
Home, 21st August 1901 – 6th October 1911.”
On 26th December 1903, he married Catherine Sullivan at Corpus Christi Church in the Strand, London, with whom he had at least 2 daughters.
He is shown on the 1911 Census living in St Giles, with his wife Catherine and 2 children, Catherine and Elizabeth.
At this time he was working as a Covent Garden Fruit Porter, having recently left his obligation to the Army Reserves.
On 27th June 1917, during World War 1, S/1063 Phillip Pond, born during 1876 and Husband of Mrs C. Pond, of 7d Peabody Buildings, Wild St, Holborn, London was buried in Dunkirk Town Cemetery, whilst serving with the 4th Bn Royal Fusiliers.
He had died of wounds received in action, his MIC notes “K in A 27/6/17”
He had originally landed into the 2B Theatre of War (Gallipoli) on 26th May 1915.
