George Edward Bond

15/10/2026

By the early 1900's, Bond’s practice had grown so large that he required purpose‑built offices. He moved into Pier Chambers, Sun Wharf, Medway Street, Chatham—a strategic location close to the river, the dockyard, and the civic heart of the town. From here, Bond would oversee some of his most significant early‑20th‑century projects.

It was his own architectural office, purpose-built for his expanding practice on the riverside at Sun Wharf, Medway Street, Chatham. It appears to have been completed in 1904, when Bond moved his practice from Victoria Buildings in Rochester and entered into partnership with Frank T. Goring.

The building also contained the offices of Style & Winch (brewers) and George Pepper. (accountant) In 1953 it was the North Kent Area Planning Office and J.T. Chater 'wholesale tobacconist' occupied the building in 1968 and 1972 according to Kelly's directories.

13/10/2026

So my new thoughts on the designs of the G.H. Leavey building are:

G. H. Leavey’s Store, 82–100 High Street, Chatham.
A report in Chatham and Rochester News (September 28th 1901) does identify George Bond as the architect and Alderman C. E. Skinner, Mayor of Chatham, as the builder at the official opening.

I have no actual date or plan number for this building, and have been trying to find out if it was a Bond design for quite some time.

The contractors were Chard & Co. of Great Portland Street, London, with Harrap, Hewett & Duffield of Cannon Street, London, acting as consulting engineers and architects and providing personal supervision of the work.

In the left hand photo, it's the building to the right of the Theatre Royal (now Spoons)

11/10/2026

On this day, 11th October 1887, George Edward Bond produced two sets of plans for houses on Maidstone Road, Rochester: Plan #589 for one house and Plan #590 for a further two houses.

That’s three houses in total—but where exactly were they? As yet, I’ve found no information identifying their location or confirming whether any of them survive today. Another Bond mystery to solve!

08/10/2026

9th October 1889

On this date in 1889, George Edward Bond produced a design for a P.R.P. British Schools Primary school for boys and girls in New Road, Chatham, recorded as No. 69 New Road.

The building has since been demolished and the site substantially redeveloped. Today, the location forms part of the modern Post Office car-park area.

The surviving record describes the project as “P.R.P. British Schools” — an abbreviation whose precise meaning has yet to be established.

photographic image via J.C. Quinton. Thank you!

07/10/2026

"Update 8th Oct: I might be reading it wrong! :)"

Well, sadly here's one to take off the list of Bond possibles. #82 - 100 High Street, Chatham. Adjacent to the Theatre Royal on Manor Road is the G.H. Leavey & Co's business premises. A very George Bond looking design, I might add!

From the Chatham and Rochester News. Saturday September 28th 1901, which clearly states that G. H. Leavey & Co.'s new premises, High Street/Manor Road, Chatham, opened 26 September 1901.

The contractors were Chard & Co. of Great Portland Street, London, and the entire work was carried out under the personal supervision of Harrap, Hewett & Dutfield, consulting engineers and architects, Bridge Row, Cannon Street, London.

Although, George Bond and Charles Skinner were guests at the opening.

03/10/2026

03/10/2026

If you're still thinking about doing the George Bond walking tour, (see featured / pinned items above) A slight addition has now been added: After George Bond's (St. Ronan's) and his neighbours house (Rookwood) in King Edward Road...

"Now we follow the road to its end and turning left up St. Margaret’s Street, pass St Margaret’s Church, where Mary Bond (George and Sarah’s daughter) married Stanley Charles Skinner, 7th July 1910. Mary was 26, Stanley was 23. Witnessed by G E Bond, Sarah Bond, Charles E Skinner, and Francis E Skinner..."

First name(s) Mary
Last name Bond
Birth year 1884
Age 26
Marital status Spinster
Marriage year 1910
Marriage date 07 Jul 1910
Marriage place Rochester, St Margaret
Spouse's first name(s) Stanley Charles
Spouse's last name Skinner
Spouse's birth year 1887
Spouse's age 23
Spouse's condition Bachelor
Spouse's occupation Builder & Contractor
Father's first name(s) George Edward
Father's last name Bond
Father's occupation Architect
Spouse's father's occupation Builder & Contractor
Licence or banns Licence
First witness G E Bond
Second witness S Bond
Third witness Charles E Skinner
Fourth witness F E Skinner
County Kent

01/10/2026

Two Floods in Military Road, Chatham.

A while back I mentioned that In 1911, George Bond and his long‑time assistant Frank T. Goring produced designs for retail premises at 30 Military Road, Chatham.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1516822906064557&set=a.768200767593445

I've since found a Kelly's directory online which tells me: 30 Military Road, Chatham: Was for a 'Harry Flood', hosier
i.e. a retailer dealing in hosiery, socks, stockings and related clothing goods.

We will never know if Bond & Goring were remodelling an existing hosiery shop, adding a new shopfront, or designing an entirely new building.

The same directory gives the neighbouring premises:

27 Military Road — Henry Thomas Flood, tobacconist (Near the Imperial Forces Pub)

30 Military Road — Harry Flood, hosier. (Just past George Street)

Brothers? Father & Son?

30/09/2026

A.I. Image of Rachel Cordall placing a small personal notice in the 'Isle of Man Times' on Saturday, 21 March 1903.

‘EDWARD CORDALL, LATE OF HEYWOOD.

COMMUNICATE WITH WIFE AND FAMILY

ADDRESS 91, UPPER MOSS LANE, HULME, MANCHESTER. REF 1286.’

The address was a commercial premises. In 1903 it served as the business address of 'Tuson', a local photographer.

This was exactly nineteen years and six months after the disappearance of Edward Cordall...Why would a widow place an advert in a newspaper on the Isle of Man—the very place where her husband supposedly drowned—unless she believed he might still be alive?

29/09/2026

Don't miss this!!!