Inspector Bond (b.1849)

Notes by Ed Grimsdale

Sub-Divisonal Inspector William Bond retired from the Metropolitan Police in February 1895 after 25 years of service (reported in Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, 24 Feb 1895). Mr Bond had been in charge of the Hackney district during his last nine years of service. He was a member of a well-known Bucks family. His uncle was Reverend William Henry Bond of Queens’ College Cambridge who had been a schoolmaster in Winslow (Grace & Bond's boarding school was operating at Brook Hall in 1827) before becoming Rector of Stevington in Beds where he published a geography textbook in 1852. Henry Tattam, Coptic scholar and Archdeacon of Bedford, originally from North Marston, was W.H. Bond's uncle.

William Bond was born at Whitchurch in 1849, where his father was a baker.  By 1861 the family kept the King’s Head at Winslow.  He went to school in Winslow with the future playwright, Henry Arthur Jones. Bond left Winslow aged 19 and made his way to London where he joined the police force, obtaining a clerk’s position at Scotland Yard. He became a good organiser rather than a leading sleuth, although he received commendations for solving crimes from each of the four commissioners under whom he served.

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James Bond (d.1869)

William Bond's older brother James died in Bucks County Asylum. These are his case notes (Centre for Bucks Studies H1/9/3 pp.165-6)

1869 July 15th James Bond aet.30 Single A labourer residing at Winslow admitted today labouring under Epileptic Mania. This is his first attack of maniacal excitement & has existed about three days. Supposed cause of Epilepsy – Fright in his infancy. He is suicidal and dangerous to others. 

Facts by Mr Denne “His conduct towards his mother & brother, also his violent conduct towards me, striking at me in a most savage manner, afterwards striking his brother in a most violent manner, he then went into the Market Square striking at everyone he came in contact & quite endangering the lives of the Public”.

Facts by others – “He had threatened to cut his throat several times also to kill his relatives. He has had Epileptic fits from childhood supposed to be brought on from fright, the last attack has come on more slowly & his mind more deranged than at any other time”. 

July 16th A powerfully built muscular man, on his admission he struggle violently & \it/ required several attendants to battle him. He is labouring under Epileptic mania & is now in a greatly excited state. To have opium with Salines.

July 18th He is now much improved & [deletion] quiet. He is able to leave his room & sit in the Gallery No. 5.

July 28th He has been struck once or twice by the other patients & being himself of combative propensities he becomes rather troublesome

July 30th Going on very quiet & orderly.

Augt 27th No change to report - his fits are not severe but they leave \him/ rather sullen & quarrelsome

Sept 20th His fits occur every 3 or 4 days. General health good.

Sept 28th During the past month he has had about thirty fits & this morning fell down in one & slightly grazed his forehead

Nov^r 24th His fits appear to affect him more – he remains lost & stupid for a longer time after them

Dec^r 15th He has been very stupid of late but appears to be getting round again. Very peevish & fretful

Dec^r 30th Found dead at 7.20 a.m. lying on his face having had a fit. Blood & mucus covering the mouth & nostrils. An Inquest was held.
Cause of death – Epilepsy
Duration of disease – from Infancy

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