by Wes Dalefield

It is with deep regret that I have to announce the death of Lindsay Bond on 30 October 1998 from pancreatic cancer.

I first met Lindsay in 1989 at the inaugural meeting of the Wanganui & Districts Meccano Club and was immediately struck by his warmth and friendliness.

Besides being a keen model builder, Lindsay had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the history of Meccano and I, like many others, deeply appreciated his mentoring on this subject. It wasn’t until I moved to the United States that I found an article that he had written for Constructor Quarterly on dating Meccano parts from their stampings. I have referenced this article to others on many occasions. Don Blakeborough’s Encyclopedia of Meccano Parts frequently cites Lindsay as a source of reference.

Lindsay’s interest in Meccano started at an early age. I still remember the story he told me of how he used to build miniature Meccano racing cars and race them with his brother. Lindsay once commented to me on how much he enjoyed the company of fellow Meccanomen. The feeling was of course mutual.

Lindsay was an electrician by trade. He owned and operated an electrical appliance store in Stratford. Of course, if you looked in his window display, Lindsay had one corner dedicated to Meccano sets. Lindsay also had an extensive collection of early Meccano motors. He would always patiently explain how they were constructed and the reasoning behind how each functioned. One of my fondest memories of Lindsay was the Easter 1992 Stratford Meccano exhibition in which he organised a display of early Meccano Motors.

The New Zealand Federation of Meccano Modellers was started as a consequence of Lindsay's initiatives.  In 1976 Lindsay saw a Meccano model on display in a shop in Wellington. Lindsay made inquiries and visited the builder. From this meeting and several more during the next two years the NZ Meccano Modellers Federation was developed. A National Magazine was started and still continues. Lindsay Bond Electronics has regularly supported the magazine with advertising.  Every two years at Easter, the New Zealand Meccano Federation has held a bi-annual Convention and competition. Lindsay attended almost all of these, missing only one, at Christchurch in 1980.

Lindsay was an Elder of the Stratford Bible Chapel of the Open Brethren Church. Our deepest condolences are extended to Judith, and to their son Jason and his wife Yvonne.

The following is Lindsay's death notice taken from Saturday morning’s Newspaper:

BOND, Lindsay Gordon. Peacefully and with dignity and great courage, surrounded by his family. At Te Rangimarie Hospice, New Plymouth on Friday, October 30th 1998. Aged 64 Years. With Christ which is far better. Very precious husband of Judith. Cherished and wonderful dad of Jason and Yvonne. Always gentle, loving and kind. We have beautiful memories of our loved one. Messages to 93 Hathaway Street, Stratford. Flowers respectfully declined. If desired donations to Te Rangimarie Hospice may be left at the service.

A service to honour the memory and celebrate the life of Lindsay will be held in the New Plymouth Bible Chapel, Vivian Street, New Plymouth on Tuesday November 3, at 11 am. Thence to Awanui Cemetery.