This is one of a series of posts to mark the international Rugby players who served in, and survived, The Great War. If anyone has further information on the men concerned, I’d be most grateful if it could be added to the thread. Gareth Bond, John Herbert MSM played for New South Wales/Australia* Internationals: 4 : 1920 NZ- NZ- NZ -; 1921 NZ+ * = Players shown as representing New South Wales/Australia are those who played in the period 1919-1929, when the New South Wales Rugby Union was the only operating Union in Australia. These players were retrospectively awarded caps by the Australian Rugby Football Union in 1994. John Bond was born in Newcastle in 1892. Played as a Hooker for North Newcastle, Newcastle, AIF, Glebe-Balmain, New South Wales and Waratahs. Profession: Carpenter War service: 356, Company Quarter Master Sergeant, 30th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. He enlisted on 18 July 1915, departed Australia on HMAT Beltana on 9 November 1915, and returned to Australia on HMAT Orontes on 15 May 1919. CQMS Bond was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his initiative in taking charge of ration carrying parties on the night of 8/9 July 1918 during an attack on the Hindenburg Line. The award was Gazetted on 6 October 1919. Remarks: Bond was a tough hooker who played North Newcastle’s 1910 and 1911 Premiership teams. After playing in the AIF XV in the King’s Cup, he joined Glebe-Balmain RFC after his discharge. He played 16 times for NSW. He died on ?
