Major Frank Bond's Untold Butlin's Story

In loving Memory of Major Frank Bond

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.

Major Frank's Story

Another Untold Story of Butlins

My Grandpa seemed to have so many interests and irons in the fire! A very talented man! Very proud of him indeed!

Dovercourt Bay

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.

Dovercourt Bay

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

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.

In loving Memory of Cherrie Butlin

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.

Pwllheli Photos

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

Broom Hall and Airfields

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.

Mandy's memories

Break in Cannes, South of France

Nanna and Grandpa are on holiday in Cannes, South of France with Billy, Norah, some Directors and their wives.

Sir Billy Butlin in Cannes on a break

Nanna and Grandpa are on holiday in Cannes Uncle Billy

Major Frank Bond enjoying the sun

Get the children out! - Mike Levy

Dovercourt Bay and Major Frank bond are in this marvelous book showing their support during World War Two. The publisher, Lemonsoul, has this description (they have not asked me to put this on)

Mike Levy shines a light on the courageous deeds of twenty-two women and men who transformed the lives of the Kindertransport and other refugees. In 1938, when the Government refused to act and those around them turned a blind eye, these heroic individuals took it upon themselves to orchestrate one of the greatest lifesaving missions the world has ever seen.

Until now the compelling accounts of these extraordinary rescue missions have remained untold. Mike Levy is a researcher for the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Association for Jewish Refugees, an educator with the Holocaust Education Trust and Chair of The Harwich Kindertransport Memorial and Learning Trust.

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Additional History

Francis Robert Bond MBE

Trinity House Air Sea Rescue

Francis Robert Bond MBE Painting

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.

Francis Robert Bond MBE Painting

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Who and What is Butlin's Memorabilia Website

Mark Banks owns and created this website to show his collection of Butlin's memorabilia items. It was created during my spare time at work and is a hobby of mine and has since grown into a site that offers a chance for others to smile. This website is NOT the official website for Butlin's and is NOT the official archive of Butlin's at any stage. The website has expanded to show stories, with permission from that person, of a moment in Butlin's from people who are either a customer or former staff. This website is in loving memory of all that had come to this amazing company and to Sir William Butlin, the founder. This website also has information about research regarding Butlin's history with information obtained from the research I made, which is not official.

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This website is made and maintained by me, Mark Banks, as a fan site to celebrate the amazing Butlins name as it has such a large meaning to me. Below is additional information about the website and answers to questions that you might be thinking of (hopefully I have covered them all, if not, get in touch)

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The Untold Stories of Butlin's

The website has expanded to now include an area called "Untold Stories of Butlin's". These stories have been added to the site by a member of my group who has shared their moment at Butlin's. These stories are not from the official company and are from the person it represent, as shown on the page. The stories shared are from that person's memory and show the magic of Butlin's on how it creates that special moment.

If you are not official, who is Mark?

Butlin's Memorabilia is NOT the official website for Butlins. This site is also NOT the official website for the archive of Butlin's. The owners of Butlin's, Butlin's company, and Butlins.com have NOT approached me to design this site. They have no involvement with the development of the website or with the information that is shown. I am extremely thankful that they allow me to continue showing you their company's rich history.

The number one website for Butlins is always, www.butlins.com where you see all the information about booking a break.

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Butlin's Memorabilia Website Celebrating Butlins History

You are here: Home ---> Butlins Untold Stories Home Page ---> The Untold Story of Major Frank Bond

In loving Memory of Major Frank Bond

Major Frank's Story

Another Untold Story of Butlins

Dovercourt Bay

Dovercourt Bay

Dovercourt Bay

Keeping Fit Sessions

In loving Memory of Cherrie Butlin

Mandy's story of Cherri Butlin

Another Untold Story of Butlins

Postcard to Mandy from Cherrie

Pwllheli Photos

Broom Hall and Airfields

Mandy's memories

Remembering Broomhall Butlin's Connection with Major Frank Bond story

Mandy's memories

Silver Wedding Anniversary

Butlin's Skegness 1945

Butlin's Skegness 1945

Break in Cannes, South of France

Nanna and Grandpa are on holiday in Cannes, South of France with Billy, Norah, some Directors and their wives.

Butlin's Bahamas

When Frank Bond was Captain Bond before his promotion

Driving past the former Butlin's Pwllheli

Another Untold Story of Butlins

Get the children out! - Mike Levy

Additional History

Francis Robert Bond MBE

Francis Robert Bond MBE Painting

Francis Robert Bond MBE Painting

Francis Robert Bond MBE Painting

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