W S Bond Funeral Directors

Bond was a well-loved and popular member of the community, mainly because of the kindness and generosity he showed to people of all classes and statuses, and for the beautiful funerals he conducted.

In around 1869, he appointed 21-22 Shepherd's Bush Green as his head office, which had its very own coffin workshop and is thought to be the first private chapel of rest in the whole of London.

In 1907, W S Bond had eight offices connected by telephone, each one with its own coffin workshop. By 1915, the company had acquired its very own 25-horsepower Dennis motor hearse, with pneumatic tyres that had Shrewsbury and Challiner detachable rims, CAV electric lights and interior roof lights, side curtains and full ventilation. They also had a Napier hearse, which resembled the shape of a van.

This was during a time when people still used horse-drawn hearses at funerals, and it was not until the 1920s that motorised hearses were more common and accepted. This is an example of the innovative and futuristic thinking that William Bond brought to the funeral profession in London, with a constant need to go the extra mile for the families in his care.

A quote from 'A Descriptive Account of Hammersmith and District' in 1894 describes W S Bond Funeral Directors at the time:

"Few undertakers in London or elsewhere have deserved so well of the public in this matter as Mr W. S. Bond of 21 and 22 Shepherd's Bush Green; and, considering the extremely moderate scale of Mr Bond's charges, and the excellent style in which even his simplest funerals are carried out, it is quite evident that it is entirely owing to the great extent of his business that it can be carried on the present lines with even a margin of profit."

"Mr Bond conducts funerals of every description, from the most elaborate to the simplest, providing all the necessary equipment, accessories, and attendance, relieving the relatives of all trouble, and carrying out the whole of the work in a complete manner."

"Elaborate funerals furnished in splendid style, with a leaden coffin and rich trimmings, and with a four-horse elegant funeral car and two broughams and pairs, can be carried out… and, on the other hand, a modest but respectable funeral, with patent funeral carriage and pair, and all necessary accessories and attendance…"

"There are few undertakers, even in the West-End, who have such a fine stud of horses or such resources in the way of modern funeral cars and carriages of elegant design as Mr Bond. His yards and stables are at Royal Crescent Mews, Notting Hill, and are admirably appointed, over a score of black Belgian horses being always kept."

"None but picked men of proved experience and respectable character are allowed to go out to any funeral. The business was first established at Earl Street, Lisson Grove, in 1869, and has rapidly developed since then."