Bernard Truswell
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Bernard was born about 1890, the eldest son of Edward and Kezia Truswell. He had one brother, Edward, and three sisters, Mabel, Sarah and Ada. In 1891 when Bernard was just a year old his parents lived at 13 Foster Grove, Radford. Edward was a lace maker and he and Kezia had three children; Mabel (7), Bernard (1) and Sarah (3 months). They had moved to Kirkby Street, Meadows, by 1911; Edward was then a curtain machinist and there were four children in the family; Mabel, Bernard, Sarah and Ada (2). When Bernard's widow completed a list of her husband's living relatives in 1919 she included his parents, three sisters and a brother, Edward who was fifteen and a half years old. Bernard's parents and siblings were all living at 332 Meadow Lane, Nottingham. Bernard married Sarah Elizabeth (Lizzie) Murden at Plumtree parish church, Nottinghamshire, in March 1911; his wife's address was given as The Green, Plumtree. Bernard and Elizabeth then lived at 31 Holme Street, Nottingham, and their son, Jesse, was born on 6 August the same year. At the time Bernard enlisted in 1915 his address was given as 2 Jubilee Street, Nottingham, although by 1919 his widow and child were living at The Green, Plumtree, his widow's former home. Elizabeth Truswell married Frederick Paskell in 1920 (Bingham district, marriage registered Jan/Feb/Mar) and she moved to Elm Cottage, East Bergholt, Suffolk.
He attested on 12 December 1915 at the age of 27 years 3 months and joined the Army Reserve the following day. He was not mobilized until 1 August the following year and then embarked for Gibraltar with the RGA on 30 November 1916. He was to serve in Gibraltar for one and a half years. He contracted influenza on 23 October 1918 and was admitted to Gibraltar Military Hospital, The Bungalow, Europa Road, Gibraltar. Influenza developed into severe pneumonia and Bernard died on 28 October having failed to respond to treatment. He was buried in Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery (grave ref. 4140). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Nottingham Post notice (abridged), 1 November 1918: 'Truswell. On October 28th, died of pneumonia abroad, Gunner Bernard Truswell RGA, son of Mr and Mrs Truswell, Meadow Lane. Mother, father, sisters, brother. Husband of Lizzie Truswell, Plumtree. Wife and child.' Obituary published 15th November 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “TRUSWELL. – On October 28th, died of pneumonia abroad, Gnr. Bernard Truswell, beloved nephew of the late John [?] and Elizabeth Taylor. His duty done. – From aunt Lizzie and family. “TRUSWELL. – On October 28th, died of pneumonia abroad Gnr. Bernard Truswell, beloved nephew of Frank and Lizzie Taylor. A noble life laid down. – From aunt Llizzie and uncle Frank.” In memoriam published 28th October 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post “TRUSWELL. – In memory of Gunner Bernard Truswell, [illegible] R.G.A., died at Gibraltar, October 28th, 1918. – Wife and sonny. “TRUSWELL. – In loving memory of Bernard Truswell, who died October 28th, 1918, at Gibraltar. No morning dawns, no night returns but what we think of thee. – From his sorrowing mother, father, sisters, and brothers.” Above are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
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