The Ties That Bond
- noellb
- Aug 27, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 7
Vivian, "I Love you, Mum."
Mum, "Oh, you do; do you?"
"Yes, and I love your new baby here too."
Vivian said, patting his gentle soft, hand on Meg’s swollen tummy.
Vivian, "This new baby will love you just as much as I do; you know, and as much as Harry, Bob, Bill and Dad."
Vivian, "We all love you, Mum."
Mum, "I love all of you too."
Vivian, "So, if I were ever to go away, don’t be sad, Mum; you will have this new baby that loves you as much as I do."
Vivian, "You can love this baby as you love me."
Vivian, "And that will be nice."
Mum, "I think you need to go out and play little man, I have things to do."
Vivian, "OK."
It was only 3 days before he passed away, that young Vivian at the age of eight years sat there on Meg's lap; and had this conversation with his mother.
Meg would go back to this moment many times in her life, remembering the moment, the words, the smells, and the sound of his voice keeping his touch alive.
On the 23rd of July 1945, her little man was carried home in the arms of his younger brother Bill from the beach, where they walked home from school that day.
If Meg could turn back time, I know she so much wished.
She would go back to hold her son Vivian again to hear his sweet- sweet voice, his squeals of play with his brothers.
Meg had 3 more children after Vivian’s passing, Margaret, Kevin and Noel.
From the time of Vivian’s passing, till the time of her passing in 2006, there was barely a day gone by that Meg didn’t spare a moment of remembrance of the time her baby said goodbye.
Here we have the beginnings of a story that binds a family to this day.
With his innocent and loving heart, Vivian expressed his affection towards his mother, Meg, in a tender moment that would forever be etched in her memory. As he spoke those heartfelt words, the room was filled with warmth and love, creating a precious bond between mother and child. Meg, touched by Vivian's words, felt a deep sense of gratitude for the love that surrounded her.
With each word spoken, Vivian's love for his family shone brightly, encompassing everyone in his pure and genuine affection. His mention of the new baby on the way brought a sense of continuity and hope, reassuring Meg that love would always be present within their family.
As Vivian playfully interacted with his mother, little did they know that their time together was limited. The bittersweet memory of their conversation would become a cherished treasure for Meg, a source of strength and comfort in the coming years.
Despite the inevitable loss of Vivian, Meg found solace in the love of her other children. Each new life brought joy and sorrow, as they carried on with Vivian's memory close to their hearts.
Through the years, Meg held onto the memories of that fateful day, finding solace in the love shared and the lessons learned. The passing of time did not diminish the impact of Vivian's presence in their lives; instead, it served as a reminder of the enduring power of love and family bonds.
As Meg reflected on her journey, she found strength in the legacy of love left behind by Vivian. His brief but profound existence had woven a tapestry of love that continued to bind the family together, transcending time and space.
The story of Vivian's love and loss became a cornerstone of their family narrative, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. His memory lived on through the generations, a beacon of light guiding them through life's challenges and triumphs.
And so, the echoes of Vivian's love reverberated through the years, a gentle reminder of the enduring power of love, family, and the unbreakable bonds that tie us together.
Reflecting on the past, Meg found peace in the knowledge that Vivian's love would forever live on in their hearts, a timeless reminder of the beauty and fragility of life.
As the years passed, the family continued to honour Vivian's memory, keeping alive the story that began with a simple declaration of love on a fateful day so many years ago.
VIVIAN LEONARD BOND
The death occurred suddenly on July 28, of Vivian Leonard Bond
the 8-year-old son of Mr and Mrs L C Bond of Busselton.
The Lad, who was understood to suffer from a weak heart, was
out playing when he collapsed and died, and much sympathy is
selt for his bereaved parents.
The funeral took place on July 30, when the Rev. R. E. Davies
officiated at the graveside in the Church of England portion of Busselton
Cemetery. The arrangements were in the hands of R. Fralkingham & Son, of
Busselton.
Trove, West Australian, Wed 1 Agust 1945, page 1 Family Notices.
BOND, (Vivian Leonard). - SUDDENLY
at Busselton, Dearly loved third son of
Mr and Mrs Len Bond; aged 8 years.
Inserted by his sorrowing Mum, Dad and brothers.
Safe in the arms of Jesus.
Our sweetheart.
BOND, - In loving memory of our dear little
grandson. Vivie, who passed away, July 28, 1945.
Inserted by loving grandparents.
A precious one from us is gone.
A voice we loved is gone.
A place is vacant in our hearts,
that never can be filled.
BOND Vivian. - On July 28, Busselton,
loving grandson of Mr and Mr Bond
(Balingup) dear little nephew of Lillian,
Vivian, Violet and Lena.
God saw the way was weary.
The hill too steep to climb.
He took darling Vivie by the hand.
and said peace be thine.
In memorial.
BOND, (Vivian Leonard). - IN SAD BUT
loving memory of a very dear and sweet
little boy who passed away, suddenly at
Busselton, July 28 1945, Dearly loved third son
of Mr and Mrs Lend Bond and loved brother of
Harry, Bob, Bill and baby Margaret; aged eight years.
Loved for always.
Our sweetheart.
Obituary.
William (Bill) James Bond
19 Sept 1938 - 26 Nov 2024
Son of Margaret Smith Lavery and Cyril Leonard Bond
Brother to Mary, John (Harry), Robert (Bob), Vivian,
Margaret, Kevin and Noel.
Husband to Coral Dawn Placanica and Father to
Shayne, Grandfather and Great Grandfather.
In the last weeks of Bill’s life, I was able to visit him at
his bedside in the hospital; where he spent his last days.
I’m Bill’s younger brother by 17 years, Noel.
I listened intently as he told me stories of himself and
other family members before I arrived in the family in
1954.
He reminisced about his childhood days and the Bond
family living at the Cowaramup farm in the 1930s, having
to move to Busselton in the 1940s during the 2nd World
War and then onto Bunbury in the late 1940s where the
family found steady reliable employment to sustain the
family permanently.
Bill told me of his childhood at the Cowaramup Farm, of
our brother Harry riding his pony one day around the pig
pen.
The pony managed to land Harry in the pig’s pen.Bill remembered how unpopular Harry was for days after
this incident as they all avoided his pong.
While Dad was away in the Army, Mum was trying to run
the farm as best she could.
She decided one day it was time she learnt to drive
Dad’s old blue Ford.
She broke a fence, crushed a tricycle but left the
rainwater tank standing.
Mum declared herself competent to drive, Bill was the
only one of the four boys willing to be driven to school
by Mum, the other three boys opted to all get onto one
horse and get to school safely.
In the 1930s - 40s it was not a requirement to hold a
driver’s licence to drive a vehicle.
Any animals on the farm that took a liking to Bill or his
brothers became pets.
There was a collection of pets but one that was special
to all the family, was Daisy the cow who gave fresh milk
and cream regularly to the family, and enjoyed the poll
position in family attention.
Selling the farm and moving from Cowaramup to
Busselton was as much an economic decision as any
other.
Life seemed comfortable in Busselton for the family, who
lived in a nice home in Carey Street.
Bill and the boys were making new friends at school and
they had new play options, with the beach and ocean 10
minutes walk from their home.
Mum had adorned the front garden with huge
sunflowers, her favourite flower to grow.
On 28/Jul/1945 life for Bill, his brothers Mum and Dad,
turned to despair shock and great loss.
It was a beautiful weekday afternoon, Bill and Vivian
were enjoying their stroll back home along the foreshore,
after a day at school.
No doubt being outdoors playing, and enjoying life was
a priority for kids of the times, Bill and his brother Vivian
were no exception.
Checking out what sea critters were hiding amongst the
fresh seaweed, running in the shallow water and writing their names on the wet sand were Bill and Vivian’s favourite things to do while on the beach.
On this day, the boys like on all other days began their
short meander back along the beach towards home.
Closer to home Bill noticed Vivian lagging but thought
that’s ok, he can take his time, no rush. Looking back again shortly after, Bill saw his brother
lying on the sand a short distance behind and
motionless.
On the beach in Busselton at the age of 7 years Bill the
man we have here, picked up his brother’s body and
began carrying his brother home.
Vivian had passed away there on the beach, and Bill had
the respect of every family member for what he did that
day for his Brother, Vivian had moved into Bill’s heart
forever at that moment on the beach.
Bill and I shared our memories of living in Bunbury,
Christmas at Prosser Street was a big family gathering.
We had family from near and far turning up Christmas
Eve Christmas Day Boxing Day and New Year's Eve.
A highlight of Christmas for me is my memory of
knowing that on the 29th of December every year, I
could be assured that Bill would come bouncing through
the kitchen door bellowing Happy Birthday Noel.
We remembered our summer nights out on the back
lawn cooking up pots of crabs for everyone in the family
to enjoy, under a clear starry night sky; and the tall yarns
drifted away on the cool night breeze.
I am a better person for having Bill in my life and having
our time together in his last days.
Copyright © Noel Bond. Researched and written by Noel Bond, No written part of this Blog may be reproduced in any form, by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author.
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