Bond returned to general service (from his staff/instructor position) on 5 August 1914, after the outbreak of the First World War. On 20 November he was mentioned in dispatches by Field Marshal French for his service during the Battle of Mons as commander of the 17th Battery of Royal Field Artillery. He served in the temporary rank of lieutenant-colonel from 21 December 1914 to 4 January 1915. Bond returned to the general staff on 27 February 1915 and was appointed a 2nd grade staff officer on 4 April 1915 when he became a brigade major. He returned to his unit on 21 July 1915 and served with the British force at Salonica. Bond was again granted the temporary rank of lieutenant-colonel from 22 August, before receiving promotion to the permanent rank on 11 September. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in the 1917 New Year Honours and promoted to brevet colonel on 4 June 1917.