Alfred H Bond was a career sailor who joined the Royal Navy in 1913 at 15 years of age. As a boy, his main ambition was to join the Navy, but his father was insistent that he should continue his apprenticeship with the family plumbing and decorating firm. According to family legend, things came to a head, when, on a occasion of being served spotted dick for dinner, said to the effect: "I wouldn't have to eat this....if I was in the Navy". His father was furious, and Alfred, along with two friends, enlisted soon after.