Page 17 - QARANC The Gazette Spring 2023

The Gazette QARANC Association 17
Major fulfils ambition to lay wreath for Unit
On Sunday November 13th, I fulfilled a personal and military ambition by laying the wreath on behalf of my Unit at St George’s Hall in Liverpool.
I am a Reservist, and my civilian occupation is a Deputy Ward Manager at a large Orthopaedic Hospital. Wrightington Hospital near Wigan in Lancashire.
I joined 208 (Liverpool) Field Hospital in 1993 and had always harboured a long-standing ambition to do this on behalf of my family and those members of my family who had served in the Armed Forces, in particular Robert William Bond, my grandfather, Robert Bond, his son, and Captain Arthur Holland my Great Uncle.
Sadly, as they never spoke much about their military service, I don’t know my grandfather’s rank, only that in World War I he acted as a runner and his son served in the 8th Army during World War Two, carrying his younger brothers photograph (my dad) with him throughout.
I intend in the future to fully research all three individuals and gain a fuller insight into to their military service.
As I travelled to St George’s Hall that crisp, cold sunny November morning, I wondered how they would have felt knowing their descendent would be laying a wreath at The Cenotaph in Liverpool.
After gaining entry to St George’s Hall, I fortified myself with a hot cup of tea and chatted to a former Unit member, Major (Rtd) Marie McKenzie and then we listened intently to brief outlining what was expected of myself and the other wreath bearers.
I then found myself forming up with the other wreath bearers and proceeding out of the interior of the hall and into bright sunlight and onto the steps of this iconic Liverpool landmark.
The Service of Remembrance and Dedication “The Commonwealth” was listened to intently by the massed crowds, who took the opportunity to reflect on friends and family members who had made the ultimate sacrifice.
Then it was turn to lay my wreath on behalf of my Unit, 208 (Liverpool) Field Hospital and as I
I was filled with a sense of pride that I had fulfilled my long standing ambition
Maj Alistair Bond with the unit wreath
stood back and saluted I was filled with a sense of pride that I had fulfilled my long standing ambition.
I hoped my fellow Unit members, family, and friends and in particular those family members who I have mentioned in this article who served in the Armed Forces, would be proud of how I carried out my duty that day.
Major Alistair Bond QARANC