BOND, WILLIAM CHARLES POTTER (also known as William Edward Bond)
Rank: Private
Regiment: Essex Regiment 2nd Battalion,12th Brigade, 4th Division.
Age 18
Date of death 14 May 1915
Service No. 3/1960

William had several variations on his name. The civilian records do not use the name William Edward Bond that is in his military record. The 1901 census shows a 4 year old William Potter born Kelvedon and living in Cottages, Abbotts Hall, Great Wigborough with grandparents William and Mary Potter. In 1911 young William Potter is still with his grandparents, now at Staffords Corner, Great Wigborough. His birthplace is given as Great Wigborough. He is 'Working on Farm'.
From birth records, William Charles Potter was born in the Lexden district 3rd Quarter 1896. He was baptised at Birch in 1897, mother named as Ellen.
It is probable he was renamed "William Potter Bond" as a result of adoption or re-marriage of his mother. It is under the name Potter Bond that he appears on the St. Stephen's Memorial. William enlisted in Colchester. He went to France on the 24th March 1915 somewhat later than the rest of the battalion. He served in France & Flanders and died of wounds.

The 2nd Battalion in August 1914 was in Chatham as part of 12th Brigade, 4th Division. One of the first Divisions to move to France, arriving just in time to join the hard- pressed Divisions of II Corps at The Battle of Le Cateau. The 4th Division remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in many of the major actions. He died just after his Division was involved in the Battle of St Julien - 24th April - 4th May 1915, which was part of the 2nd Battle of Ypres.