George Henry's Story.
Nantwich Guardian 4 October 1918.
The marriage took place at St. Paul’s Church, Crewe on Monday, of private George Henry Bourne, Irish Guards, third son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Bourne, 502 Crewe Road, Wheelock, and Miss Alice Skelton, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Skelton, market Street, Crewe. The bride daintily attired in white silk with a white hat trimmed with georgette and carrying a bouquet of white chrysanthemums and maidenhair fern, was given away by her father and attended by her sister, Miss Doris Skelton, and Miss E. Bourne, sister of the bridegroom. The best man was private A. Bourne, brother of the bridegroom. Private Bourne is home on leave after 13 months active service. He and his bride received many handsome presents.
Nantwich Guardian 1 November 1918.
On Tuesday news was received that Private George Henry Bourne, Irish Guards, third son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Bourne , 502 Crewe Road, Wheelock, has been killed in action on 21 October. Private Bourne was over on leave at the end of September, after 13 months active service, and he was on the 30 September married to miss Alice Skelton of Market Street, Crewe. He has five other brothers serving and an uncle. He formerly worked at Crewe Goods Sheds and was a scholar at Wheelock Church School.
Writing to convey the news to Mrs Bourne, the Sergeant in the deceased's regiment says. “He was killed on the morning of the 21st, being hit in the head by a bullet from one of the enemy snipers (we were changing positions at the time). He was walking and fell down and died instantly. His grave is not many miles from Cambria. I cannot describe to you what a fine soldier he was, cool in action, and smart on parade. He was popular with all the boys off the platoon.”
Left to Right George, Harold and Jim. (Thank you to Jan Darby for this picture)
Left to Right George, Harold and Jim. (Thank you to Jan Darby for this picture)