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10/07/1881 - 22/09/1914

Place of birth: Bromley-by-Bow, London
Last known address in Bromley: 8 Canon Road

Military information

Regiment/Service: Royal Navy
Battalion/Ship: H M S Aboukir
Rank: Stoker 1st Class
Number: 294840

Family information

Parents: George & Lucy Bourne (nee Fordham)
Parents' occupation: Coachman
Siblings: None
Relatives on War Memorial: KEMP, D.
Wife: Maud Elizabeth Kemp
Marriage date: 1911
Children: Kathleen Mary Georgina, Ernest George

Census information

1891
Address: 53 St Leonard's Street, Bow
1901
Address: Navy
1911
Address: Crystal Palace Fire Station
Occupation: Fireman

Extra details

Ernest was the only child of George and Lucy Bourne. He was baptised on 31st July 1881 at St Leonard's Bow. His mother died in 1897, there is no trace of his father after 1891.

Ernest joined the Navy on 31st January 1900, enlisting for 12 years. He was described as being 5ft 10½ins tall, having black hair, brown eyes and a pallid complexion. From February 1905 to July 1906 he served on HMS Hecla going to China and Japan. Apart from this period he was ashore. On 5th October 1906 he purchased his discharge and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve. On leaving the Navy he obtained a position with the London Fire Brigade. We was stationed at Cannon Street, Sydenham Hill and Clapham. After about four years he obtained the position of fireman at Poplar Workhouse. In 1911 he met and married Maud Elizabeth Kemp in Bromley.

At the outbreak of war he was recalled to the Navy, serving on HMS Aboukir. At the beginning of the war the threat from German submarines was not taken seriously. On 22nd September 1914 three British cruisers, HMS Aboukir, HMS Hogue and HMS Cressy who were patrolling the North Sea south of Dogger Bank were torpedoed and sunk . Over 1400 officers and men lost their lives.

William John Anderson died aboard HMS Hogue.

Maud was the aunt of Desmond Kemp.