WILLIAM THOMAS GILBOURNE |
Gunner 205740
3rd Depot Royal Garrison Artillery,
Died on Monday, 26th January, 1920, age 35.
Buried in Brinsley (St. James the Great) Churchyard,
Notts.
William Thomas Gilbourne was the third son of James and Catherine Gilbourne who lost his life whilst in the Armed Forces. Walter died in WW1 and James had perished in the Boer War.
When William first joined up at the outbreak of war, he was discharged on the 30th October 1914, after 47 days, with the 8th Service Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, as medically unfit. He later enlisted with the R.G.A. on the 24th June 1916, being called up for service on the 18th February, 1918 as a gunner with No. 4 Depot. He was discharged on 20th January 1919 at Dover. Following his discharge he signed up for another 4 years service with the Royal Regiment Artillery, on the 18th July 1919 at Bury St. Edmund's, keeping the same service number.
William was serving in the 3rd Depot, Royal Garrison Artillery when he was found drowned in Plymouth Harbour.
A memorial plaque is displayed to both William and Walter in the Church at Brinsley.
Information provided by Dai Bevan.
Dai Bevan, whose mother was a Gilbourne, was born at Brinsley. Dai has spent considerable time, researching the Gilbourne family tree. You can read all about Walter, William and James Gilbourne on David's website at:-
http://home.clara.net/daibevan/WC_IDX/Military.htm
Dai has also kindly provided the following information about William:-
William was serving in the 3rd Depot, Royal Garrison
Artillery when he was
found drowned at Plymouth. Little detail of his final days has emerged. The
discovery of the body was announced in the Stop Press of the Western Evening
Herald on Monday January 26 1920:
The body of a sailor which had been found floating was landed at Vauxhall Quay
this afternoon. Papers bore the name of William Thomas Gilbourne, No. 3
depot, the Citadel.
Almost identical accounts of the inquest are given in the Western Evening
Herald of Wednesday January 28, 1920 and the Western Independent of Feb 1,
1920. The latter says:
Mysterious Drowning Case
A verdict of 'Found Drowned' was returned on Wednesday on William Thomas
Gilbourne, the R.G.A. Gunner who was found in Sefton Pool. The body was
identified by Bombardier Warne, who stated the deceased bore an excellent
character, and was of a quiet turn of mind. Gunner Young saw Gilbourne on
Sunday evening, and stated he was quite well and cheerful then. William
Stevens gave evidence of finding the body, and Dr. McNair stated that the body
bore no marks of violence, and there was nothing to show how deceased got into
the water.
[The Western Evening Herald Article says the body was found in Sutton Pool.]
We know the weather was very rough at the time, the Western Evening Herald of
Jan 27 indicated only a small supply of fish, because many ships had not put
to sea because of the rough weather, and concludes '...the whole of the
fishing fleet is now weather-bound in Sutton Harbour, and will not put to sea
as long as the gale lasts.'
Last updated 11/01/04