<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-04-13</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001163792</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>wea</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001488473</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Orime Nayoa</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>36F SHIN-MARUNOUCHI BUILDING</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TOKYO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>M0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>100-6536</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>JAPAN</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Director of the Adviser</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Nayoa Orime signed by John Redding by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-04-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
