Starting collecting your Dovercourt Bay with eBay, have a look at these items below
I am extremely honoured to show you the story, an important one I might add, of Major Frank Bond. As told by the granddaughter, Mandy, you can see and read about how Dovercourt Bay holiday camp and Major Frank Bond had a large involvement in the very early days of Butlins.
Mandy had started to tell me about the stories of her family and the connection they have with the Butlin's name. From here, we see one of the most important stories to be told as we see another side of Sir Billy Butlin with Major Frank Bond. Major Frank Bond's photos are also ones that have not been seen before, making this story so very special.
The connection to Dovercourt was only made when I had been in touch with Mandy regarding her family history with Butlins and Sir Billy Butlin. As the story expanded, I got to understand more about the Dovercourt Bay connection. There are still new areas being discovered and being added to this page in time.
I am extremely honoured to feature Major Frank's story on this website.
My Grandpa seemed to have so many interests and irons in the fire! A very talented man! Very proud of him indeed!
Major Frank Bond in Dovercourt Bay, take note of them gems in the background. You can read more by clicking on the name Dovercourt Bay.
This is a photo of Captain Harry Warner and his wife Dorothy
This photo shows Dorothy Warner sitting on the grounds of the Dovercourt Holiday Camp.
In this photo, we have a photo of my Nanna, my Mum and Billy Warner one of Captain Warner’s sons.
The second from the left is Major Frank Bond, my grandpa. Billy Butlin is in the middle at the back and in front of him is Alderman Ward, who was my godmother, Wendy Ward Spackman. Raven’s Grandfather, Mayor at that time. Second, from the right standing was Billy Butlins wife Dolly. (click on the name to see more)
Dovercourt Bay Holiday camp. In the middle, shown below, is Sir Billy Butlins. What a great photo this is and one that is extremely important to the history of Butlins. Billy Butlin wife Dorothy (Dolly) sat in front of him in the white suit, black hat, and sunglasses.
This amazing photo from Mandy's personal collection shows William Butlin and his wife at Dovercourt Bay. The connection between Dovercourt and Butlin's is one that I am starting to get obsessed with and I have to admit that I was so very pleased to be able to share this on the site with you all. A young Mr Butlin looking at the person taking a photo thinking "another one ticked off my list...now on to the next project".
The power of the Warner's working alongside Butlins making their task of entertaining and creating memories for all the guests. Truly honoured to show this photo to you all.
Dovercourt and the Warner’s camp , which was situated on Low Road, I have kept this interesting in this paper cutting “ More fun than Hi De Hi” written by Rex Bale, who in 1938 came to Dovercourt to help out the entertainment manager whilst waiting for his own camp (Seaton) to open. That manager was the one and only Bill Owen! Compo from Last of the Summer Wine!
This is Billy’s Butlin wife, Dolly Butlin with Grandpa showing her a plant or something beautiful from the garden in one of the camps. I’m not sure which camp it is.
Grandpa is on the right but I’m not sure who the other two are. This was a part of the Dovercourt and Harwich Festival where they were advertising the Butlins chalets and the new proposed camps. So this must have been after Dovercourt, Skegness, Seaton and Northney camps and before Clacton and Ryde in 1938.
Another picture of the proposed chalets for the new camps. Dorothy Warner top left and I think that could be Cappy Bond, then Captain Harry Warner. Major Frank Bond is slightly visible behind the ladies on the left.
Miss. Ruby Ward, my godmother's Mother before she was married, then Major Frank Bond and Noel Roper.
Born in 1939, both Nora and Billy Butlin were over the moon that their family was to be extended by one more. As Cherrie grew up, she became friends with Mandy, Major Frank and Peggie Bond. Wanting to adventure away from the family business, Cherrie had decided to move to Australia.
Becoming an actress, Cherri would get married to fellow actor, Brook Denning (real name Roy Daniel). Cherrie would become the host for the Desmond and the Channel 9-Pins between 1961 and 1962.
Click on these words to view a video of Cherri Butlin in 1959.
Another photo of Cherrie Butlin with my Nanas dog
Cherrie Butlin at Broom Hall, Pwllheli in town
Cherrie Butlin with her husband Brook Denning
Postcard showing the Brothers of St. John of God.
A postcard I received from Cherrie Butlin when she was in hospital in Ireland in the 1970’s
Lord Brown, my Mum, Lady Brown and my Nana all at Broom Hall, Pwllheli
My Nana and Lady Brown
Grandpa, my Mum, Mary Bond, Basil Brown, Peggy Bond.
Michael Brown out shooting with my Mums Brother Bobby Bond and Maxi with one of the dogs
Taken at Ayr camp, not sure of the date, Not sure who the lady and child are. Grandpa and Nanna on his right with their car outside the restaurant with doorman dressed very smartly in black tie
Mandy Williams in the middle, sat on top of one of the iconic fountains at Pwllheli camp in the 60’s
As Mandy continues to send more information about Butlin's story, I get to learn new areas that I was not known about myself before. Sir Billy Butlin story increases with the amazing connection between the Bond family and how they helped towards the Butlins name. The photo above is from Mandy's personal album and shows the Broom Hall house, which is now a grade-listed building, you can find that information here. As shown here, further research had shown the connection to Sir Billy on the website www.geograph.org.uk. Here is what the website states about Sir Billy Butlin.
In 1946 the Broomhall estate was purchased by William (Billy) Butlin who was in the process of converting HMS Glendower into the Pwllheli Butlins holiday camp. A keen aviator, Butlin purchased additional land from the adjoining Rhedynog Ganol farm to enlarge the airstrip and provide two runways North-South (2150ft long) and East-West (1,800'). Flights were provided for Butlin campers, few of whom had flown before. Cambrian Airways began a commercial service from the airfield to Cardiff and Dublin using Rapide aircraft. The Dublin-Broom Hall fare was £8.25p. You can find further information about Cambrian Airways on the Wikipedia website, just click on these words to see more.
Following a fatal accident involving an Auster, activity at Broom Hall came to an end in the mid-1960s and the main hangar was demolished. The land was then sold back to Rhedynog Isaf and is now used for sheep rearing." You can see the location by clicking on these words.
This is my Nana and my Mum on the Airfield on the Broom Hall estate.
With permission, here is a photo showing the same location as this airfield. This photo is copyright to Eric Jones
Here are Billy’s guests, Butlin Directors, and Grandpa on the right.
My Grandparents Major Frank Bond and his wife Peggy Celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary with Billy Butlin and his wife Dolly. Standing to the left of my Grandpa is Norah. On her left is Bobby Bond, my Mum’s brother.
A large selection of people came to say congratulations on the silver wedding anniversary
Sir Billy Butlin in Cannes on a break
Nanna and Grandpa are on holiday in Cannes Uncle Billy
Major Frank Bond enjoying the sun
My Grandpa! Major Frank Bond at Butlins in the Bahamas. August 1950
My Grandpa sat in the gardens as he was sent out by Billy to oversee the running of Butlin’s in the Bahamas!
This postcard is from plastichrome by colour picture, Boston 15, Mass. New York Office. View of the pool and patio looking toward the dining hall
In this photo, you will see Grandpa known as Captain Bond obviously before he was promoted to Major
Trinity House Air Sea Rescue
The painting is of F R Bond’s Air Sea Rescue Launch where he was the Skipper and it was painted by my Grandpa Major F B Bond. The rescue launched HSL 2561 and he was known to everyone as Bobby Bond. If you look closely you will see a small yellow dinghy on the left of the painting. It was this rescue that was portrayed in the film “ The Sea Shall Not Have Them “See it on YouTube.
Permission was given to Mark and Butlins Memorabilia website from Mandy to show the wonderful story of Major Frank Bond. With help from Mandy, you are able to view a story of a person that had helped many in the Butlin's timeline. Any stories and photos shown on this page are not owned by me and are owned by those who shared them. Please do not ask for their details as I will not share anything with you as I do not hold their details and it's not my place to give them away if I did.
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