George Herbert Bourne Papers
Collection
This is a collection of: letters and maps from the first world war; notes on family history, including Dr Eleanor Bourne, her professional history and an essay "Medical Inspection in Schools"; cuttings, photographs, paintings and prints.
George Herbert Bourne was born in Brisbane on 21 November 1881. He attended Brisbane Boys Grammar School and joined the Bank of New South Wales in 1898. Bourne joined the Commonwealth Military Forces in 1905 and reached the rank of Major by 1914, he then enlisted in the first AIF, and was appointed Major, commanding 'B' Squadron, 2nd Light Horse Regiment. On 27 June 1916, he became Commanding Officer of the Regiment, and promoted Lieutenant Colonel on 16 July 1916. The Regiment was part of 1st Light Horse Brigade, which was actively patrolling in the lead up to the battle of Romani on 3-5 August. For his part in this battle, and later at Bir-el-Aba, Bourne was Mentioned in Dispatches, and awarded the DSO. During 1917 he was appointed ADC to His Excellency the Governor General, in which capacity he remained until 1920. He returned to his banking career which included positions as manager in Christchurch and Rockhampton. His interest in the military continued and he commanded the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, Queensland Mounted Infantry and 3rd Infantry Battalion, the New England Regiment, while working as a bank manager. He wrote 'Nulli Secundis, the History of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, AIF', published in 1926. He married Frances Blanche McConnel in 1924, he died 8 March 1959 in Brisbane and was survived by his wife and 3 sons.
In copyright.