Francis Ramsey Bourne, OB, 1887 - 1984
Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:21 pm
In the summer of 1912, Frank Bourne enjoyed ' sac a dos' adventures in Northern France ( backpacking, according to the OED, appears first in 1916) He and his five friends admired the poppies, end with a toast to long life and happy days. ( my youngest suggestd the Tardis) Frank's last school report records he came top in maths, second in every other subject, including drawing - (technical ?) shorthand, science. The school doesn't seem to have a record of where he went after this. His hand drawn map of Northern France is worth an A*
Frank's adventures turned up in a Cumbrian junkshop, and the travel reports written by the six friends ( including a Ross) have led so far to one academic paper on the politics of leisure, and, of course, riveting research on the experiences of the six backpackers - in 1912 & 14 - 18. Fred, who booked their train and ferry tickets is listed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. Frank - d 1984 - became a conscientious objector. a third man served as a stretcher bearer, losing most of his sight. One of the girls worked at Netley. They all had German friends, the group belong to an internationalist society, supported by many key early 20th C people - The founder was active in diplomatic efforts to prevent WWI. His close friend Macdonald was an active supporter, as was sir patrick Geddes, and the Nobel peace prize winner, Norman Angell.
Frank's ' Liebe Freunde' material and the travel book suggest a very different 20th C
Any information on F.R.Bourne will be extremely welcome. I know his surviving godson, daughter and grandson. The godson knew from his parents - ( stretcher bearer & Netley) that Frank had a very good job pre-war, but as a c.o, was dismissed.
The Admiralty must be investigated, obviously, but it's slow work, and I live in the Border TV area.
All descendants - the Somme casualty left none - have agreed that any cash for publication/broadcasts will go to charities working in war/diaster areas - red Cross, MSF...
R M.Ridley
Frank's adventures turned up in a Cumbrian junkshop, and the travel reports written by the six friends ( including a Ross) have led so far to one academic paper on the politics of leisure, and, of course, riveting research on the experiences of the six backpackers - in 1912 & 14 - 18. Fred, who booked their train and ferry tickets is listed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. Frank - d 1984 - became a conscientious objector. a third man served as a stretcher bearer, losing most of his sight. One of the girls worked at Netley. They all had German friends, the group belong to an internationalist society, supported by many key early 20th C people - The founder was active in diplomatic efforts to prevent WWI. His close friend Macdonald was an active supporter, as was sir patrick Geddes, and the Nobel peace prize winner, Norman Angell.
Frank's ' Liebe Freunde' material and the travel book suggest a very different 20th C
Any information on F.R.Bourne will be extremely welcome. I know his surviving godson, daughter and grandson. The godson knew from his parents - ( stretcher bearer & Netley) that Frank had a very good job pre-war, but as a c.o, was dismissed.
The Admiralty must be investigated, obviously, but it's slow work, and I live in the Border TV area.
All descendants - the Somme casualty left none - have agreed that any cash for publication/broadcasts will go to charities working in war/diaster areas - red Cross, MSF...
R M.Ridley