Public Contributions:

George Henry Bourke was my grandfather's ( Jim Bourke ) brother. George was the best man at Jim's wedding in 1912. Around this time George went to work and live in New Zealand where his brother, John... ( Jack ), lived. George's name is on the Commemorative Roll at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, and on the war memorials at Wellington, NSW and at Bodangora ( near Wellington NSW ). George was born and grew up in the Wellington area of NSW. Letter from George's friend in New Zealand was printed in the Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Friday 12 July 1918, page 4 at [http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75564010]. [Record since amended - NZWGT] Read More

This letter from Mr C J Benbow , a friend of the late George Henry Bourke , which was printed in the Wellington Times ( NSW ) newspaper on 4 July 1918 , is clearer than the one printed in the Dubbo L...iberal and Macquarie Advocate. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143232846. [Transcript  below added by NZWGT] “PRIVATE G. H. BOURKE. - LETTER FROM A FRIEND. The relatives of Private G. H. Bourke, son of Mrs. J. Bourke, of Eulomogo, who was killed at the Battle of Messines, on June 7 last year knew practically nothing of the circumstances surrounding his death, and his sister, Mrs. J. W. Williams, wrote to Mr. C. J. Benbow, Okahume [Ohakune] Junction, New Zealand, a friends [sic] of the dead soldier, who had enlisted from the Dominion, in the hope of getting some information. The following is the reply she received: —   I have much pleasure in replying to your letter, which I received to-day, and I have to thank you very much for your kind sympathy in the loss of poor brothers. My brothers and poor George were great friends. I also counted him as one of my best friends. When over here he always made our place his home, and I can tell you I was very sorry to hear of his sad end. I received your brother's letter safely, also your mother's card, and I wish to thank them for their kind words. I had your brother, John Bourke, staying with me for a day or two. I handed all of poor old George's belongings over to him, and he said he would send them home to his mother. The defence authorities sent me a record of George's movements on his way across to France; gave in detail what part of the service he belonged to. I sent it on to Mr. John Bourke to read, and asked him to forward it on to his mother, which I hope he has done. I only had one letter from George after his arrival in France, and his one great wish was to join up with my brothers, which he did the same day as he reached the trenches. I had a letter from my brother Bill, after he was wounded, describing the fight, and he said he saw George and some more mates of theirs after they went over the top. He said George was laughing as usual. I heard from a friend of mine that George was killed with a shell, and that he suffered no pain. My brother Tom was also killed the same way. The poor fellows told me before they left New Zealand that their wish was to be killed outright sooner than come pack crippled for life. I still have George's allotment pay, which is banked. I will hand it over as soon as I get authority to do so. I do not know how he left his property. He asked me when he went away if he could leave me his allotment pay. I told him I would do anything I could for him, and would bank the money for him. My Bill is still over there and getting well again. I have five brothers at the front, two killed and one wounded. I think that is a good record. I expect to be called up myself in a few months' time. I will close now, once again thanking you for your kind remarks.” [Wellington Times (NSW : 1899 - 1954), Thursday 4 July 1918, Page 3] Read More