ALMOND, BERNARD. Pioneer. 373200. Signal Service. Entitled to the British War Medal. His service was deemed to have begun when he enlisted under the Military Service Act on March 6th 1917.

He received his call up papers on February 20th 1918, being appointed to the Reserve Service Corps the same day. The following day he was transferred to the Royal Engineer A reserve, he signed his Short Service Attestation papers on July 20th at Lincoln, giving his father as next of kin, and his home address as Hamilton Road, Alford.

Mobilized on August 6th, his service record contains the following certificate “The bearer is a skilled Telegraphist in employment of the Post Office, Category Grade 1 and to be transferred Class W Army Reserve for signal service.”

Post Master Alford Post Office. November 12th 1917 " Bernard Almond died age 19, of Pneumonia at Service Military Training Hospital, Bedford, while training at the Signal Service Training Centre, Bedford. He was buried in Saint Helens Church. Yard, West Keal".

The 1901 census records Bernard aged 4, and his parents Mary and William Almond a carpenter visiting Harriet and George Chicken, a carpenter, of Woodhall Cottage, Southend Road, Little Thurrock.

The 1911 census records Bernard 12, living with his parents Mary and William Almond a carpenter, of East Keal, Spilsby. In 1914 Bernard is recorded on the Spilsby Postal Service Appointment Book as a Postal Service apprentice.

His soldiers’ effects of £4 12s 11d were paid to his father, due to the short nature of his service he received no war gratuity payment.

Remembered with honour on the Alford War Memorial in the grounds of Saint Wilfred’s Church yard.