George Thomas BOND alias John Valentine NEWPORT

The story of George James BOND aka John Valentine NEWPORT.
Ian Spence has a photo of his wife's ancestor, John Valentine Newport, dressed in an AIF uniform taken in Perth c1918 with his wife Annie. It was stated on his marriage certificate in Oct 1918 that he was born in St Kilda, Victoria, 10 May 1894 s/o Simon John Valentine NEWPORT/Sarah HOWELL but no records could be found of his birth or parents in Victoria or Western Australia. As it turns out only two of these 'facts' were correct - his DOB and his mother's name.
At last, and after many years, Ian Spence reported that he had finally broken through a brick wall with John Valentine NEWPORT and found that he is indeed a part of the HOWELL/NEWPORT tree but not a direct Newport connection.

The breakthrough came when Ian found a 1945 "In Memorium" notice in the West Australian newspaper for a soldier named McGLINN.
It read: McGLINN.- On July 16 1943. Don, died of illness while POW in prison camp Thailand. Fond nephew of Jack and Ann Newport, cousin of Jack and Alan (AIF). Joan Doreen and Mavis.
The Jack NEWPORT is the son J V Newport, his wife Ann and the cousins (Jack and Alan) are their children. This started a search of the McGLINN family who must have been related and led to the discovery that a Sarah Victoria BOND was married to the dead soldier's father, James McGLINN.
After a lot of further researching for John Valentine NEWPORT, Ian discovered that he was in fact George Thomas BOND, Sarah's brother, who enlisted in the AIF under his birth name in 1916. He was a private in the stores division and posted to several depots in WA. He was discharged in early 1917 as "medically unfit". After several run-ins with the law for minor offences he re-enlisted in Dec 1917 using the name John Valentine NEWPORT. But unfortunately for him he was posted to one of the Perth depots where he had been previously posted (and known as G T Bond) and was recognised. Following an investigation he was discharged for "irregular enlistment" in mid 1918.
However by this time he had met his future wife and continued the alias for the rest of his life.
Two of his mother Sarah's brothers were Edward Valentine and John William HOWELL - most likely where the John Valentine came from in the J V NEWPORT alias. Then to finish it off Philip HOWELL's mother was Elizabeth NEWPORT - most likely where the NEWPORT came from.

From the National Archives: B2455, BOND G T
BOND George Thomas : SERN DEPOT 6291 N15905 [AKA Newport J V] : POB Elmore VIC : POE Perth WA : NOK S McGlynn Mrs J.
Service Number 6291 Pte George Thomas Bond, Unit 88 Depot, Enlisted 21 Oct 1916, Residence: Gnowangerup, WA (61k SE of Katanning), Born near the Town of Shepparton, Victoria, Age 22 6/12 yrs, Occ. Farmer Labourer, Height: 5 ft 7 1/2 in, Complexion: Ruddy, Eyes: Blue, Hair, Brown, Religion: Roman Catholic, Distinctive Marks: Scar back of neck, scald left shin.
NOK Father: Patrick Bond, Tambellup, WA (317k SW of Perth).
Served at 88 Depot, 18th Reinforcements 27th Battalion, 22 Depot Rockingham, Camp Karrakatta. Discharged permanently, unfit for Active Service, Perth 23 Apr 1917.

Service Number 115906 Pte John Valentine Newport enlisted 22 Dec 1917, at Recruiting Tent, Blackboy Hill Camp, Born Elmore, Victoria, Age 21 1/12 yrs, DOB 25 Nov 1896, Occ. Horse Driver, Single, Address: P.O. Albany, Height 5 ft 7 1/2 ins, Complexion: Fresh, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Fair, Religion: R.C., Distinctive marks: Numerous scars back of neck, Scar over right eye.
NOK Sister: Mrs J McGlynn, Albany, WA. Fit for Light Horse only. Served DB Depot, Passed Riding Test, Rockingham. Discharged 8 May 1918 "Having irregularly enlisted."
In this file there is a letter dated 28 Oct 1947 from his widow, Mrs Annie Newport of 262 Bulwer Street, Perth. A document dated 19 Dec 1947 from AIF Base Records Office, Canberra, ACT, 6291 says G.T. Bond correct name stated to be NEWPORT J. V.
6291 Pte BOND G T, Unit 10th Reinforcements, 51 Battalion (Depot), Stated to be identical with N15906 NEWPORT J V, AIF Depot.