George Robert Lunn
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George Robert was the son of John and Elizabeth Lunn nee Allen. His father John was born in Dyke, Bourne, Lincolnshire, in January 1853. His mother Elizabeth Allen was born in about 1853 but census records give her place of birth as both Dyke and Ketton, Rutland. They were married in 1876 and had six children: Arthur James b. 1877, John Tom (Tom) b. 1879 , George Robert b. 1882 and Louisa Maud (Maud) b. 1884 who were all born in Dyke (reg. Bourne) and Hilda Mary b. Thurlby 1889 and Muriel May b. Bourne 1897. In 1881 John (27) a labourer, and Elizabeth (28) were living in Dyke, Bourne, with their two sons, Arthur (3) and John (1). They had moved to Thurlby, near Bourne, by 1891. John was now employed as a shepherd. He and Elizabeth had five children: Arthur an agricultural labourer, Tom, George (10), Maud (6) and Hilda (1). The family home was at 16 Stanley Street, Bourne, in 1901 and John was working as a contractor's carter. Only four of John and Elizabeth's six children were still living at home: John Tom a railway porter, George who was working at the local mineral water factory, Hilda and Muriel (3). John and Elizabeth had moved again by 1911 when they were living at 6 Gladstone Street, Bourne. John was a traction engine driver. Only two of their children were in the home on the night of the census: George a mineral water packer, and Muriel who was still at school. Also in the household was their grandson, Cyril Lunn (b. 1908 reg. Bourne). Elizabeth Lunn probably died in 1911 (reg. Bourne) aged about 58. The widowed John later moved to Nottingham and there is a record of his marriage to a widow, Elizabeth Ann Christian (nee Thorpe, b. 1888), in Nottingham in 1916. Elizabeth had married Charles Henry Christian in 1907 (reg. Grantham Lincolnshire) and in 1911 was living in Keisby, Bourne, with her husband, a waggoner, who died aged 38 in 1915 (reg. Grantham). Elizabeth Ann died in 1925 aged 37 and John was still living in Nottingham when the 1939 England & Wales Register was compiled. A retired engine driver, he was living on Birkin Avenue, Hyson Green, Nottingham, with his unmarried daughter, Louisa Maud, whose occupation was given as unpaid domestic duties. John died in 1946 aged 93. Louisa Maud died in 1974 (reg. Nottingham). Reports of George Robert's death give his address as 108 Birkin Avenue, Hyson Green, Nottingham, which was probably his father's address as according to other reports George was still living in Bourne at the time he enlisted. However, as a single man he may have regarded the family home as his permanent address especially if his father had been nominated as his next of kin. George was engaged to a Miss Sergeant at the time of his death. George's brother, Arthur James, probably served in the Royal Engineers (Railway Operating Division), service number 157642, as there is a record of an Arthur James Lunn (38 b. abt. 1878), a railway messenger, who attested in November 1915 and served 28 April 1916-9 August 1919 (BEF 28 July 1916-10 December 1918). He lived at 18 Moore Street, Derby, and had married Annie Woodcock at Rippingale, Lincolnshire; one child John Alistair b. 13 August 1907. Arthur was not listed as one of the mourners at George's funeral but his service record shows that he was on active service overseas in 1917.
George Robert Lunn enlisted at Bourne and served with the 1/5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (5332) and then with the 4th (Reserve) Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (241750). George was invalided home from France with septic poisoning and spent five months in hospital in Manchester. Following his discharge from hospital he transferred to the 4th (Reserve) battalion Lincolnshire Regiment and served at its east coast camp as a musketry instructor. He was fatally wounded at the camp on 11 December 1917 following the accidental discharge of a rifle, dying later that day while being taken to Grimsby military hospital. George was buried in Bourne Cemetery, Lincolnshire, with full military honours (grave ref. 151.11). A memorial service was held at Bourne Congregational Church where George had been a worshipper.
CWGC headstone, personal inscription: 'His work well done' George is also commemorated on the Bourne War Memorial, Lincolnshire. The following two reports are courtesy of Jim Grundy's facebook pages, 'Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918': “TRAGEDY AT A CAMP. “Nottingham Soldier Accidentally Shot by His Comrade. “A sad mishap has occurred at a camp on the Lincolnshire coast. “Lance-Corporal George Robert Lunn, of the Lincolnshire Regiment, whose home is at 108, Birkin-avenue, Hyson Green, Nottingham, was standing in a hut conversing with a friend, Private Walter Periam, [?] when a comrade, Private Bertram Charles Sissons, picked up a rifle from the rack and was examining it, when the weapon went off, the charge entering Lunn's body. He was medically attended and conveyed by motor ambulance to the military hospital at Grimsby, but died on the journey. “Lunn and Sissons had served together in France for more than a year. They were on good terms. “Privates Harry Oxborough and Allan Scarborough, who were present in the hut, declare that they did not see Sissons point the rifle at Lunn. Sissons states that he had no idea the rifle was loaded, and it is against regulations for a rifle to be left loaded in the rack. He has never known one to be so left before. “An inquiry into the accident will be held at Grimsby to-day.” (Note: the inquest was actually held on 21st December 1917) “Shooting: Mishap at a Lincolnshire Camp. “At Grimsby on Friday [21st December 1917] an inquest was held on Lance-Corpl. George Robert Lunn (35), of the Lincolnshire Regiment, whose home was at 108, Birkin-avenue, Hyson Green, Nottingham, and who was accidentally shot at a camp in Lincolnshire on Tuesday week. “Pte. Bertram Charles Sissons stated that he and Lunn had served together in France. On Tuesday last Lunn arrived at the camp, and they renewed acquaintance They talked over old times at the Front, and witness told Lunn that he was now a musketry instructor. He picked up a rifle to demonstrate what he could do with it. There was a clip of what witness thought were “dummies” on the floor. It was half dark, and he slipped them into the magazine of the rifle. As he did so, he noticed they were not “dummies,” but “live” cartridges, and he commenced at once to work the bolt to empty the magazine. He thought all were ejected, and then pressed the trigger to ease the spring before [sic] applying the safety catch. The rifle went off, and Lunn fell, shot through the chest. “Several witnesses who were present in the hut declared that Sissons did not point the rifle at Lunn, and testified that the two were good friends. “The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death,” and exonerated Sissons and the regimental authorities from blame.” Grantham Journal, 15 December 1917: ‘Bourne. Very sad news was received on Thursday of the death of a Bourne soldier, Sergt (sic) GR Lunn of the Lincolnshire Regiment,. Sergt. (sic) Lunn, when in Bourne, was in the employ of Messrs. Mills and Baxter. He joined up about two-and-a-half years ago, and was invalided home about last April with septic poisoning, and was in hospital until about three weeks ago, when he was granted leave. He was in Bourne with friends as lately as Friday week. He reported at Lincoln, and on Tuesday was sent to a camp on the coast, and was accidentally shot the same evening. An inquest is to be held, and the remains will be brought to Bourne for burial on Saturday. We understand there will be a military funeral. Very great sympathy is expressed with his father and sisters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Grantham Journal 22 December 1917: BOURNE. Memorial Service – On Sunday evening [probably 16 December], the Reverend J. Carvath conducted a memorial service for the late Lance Corporal George Lunn at Bourne Congregational Church at which the deceased was a regular worshiper before he left Bourne to join the army. The Rev. Gentleman took for his text of words “I am the resurrection and the light” and pointed out that when Christ spoke these words. He did so to comfort Martha and Mary and they had been a comfort to the bereaved ever since, as he trusted they would be to those who mourned for their departed friend that night. (www.southlincolnshire warmemorials.org.uk) Military Funeral – On Saturday afternoon [22 December 1917] a military funeral at Bourne Cemetery attracted a large assembly. The burial was that of Lance Corporal George Lunn, who met his death under sudden circumstances on the previous Tuesday. Deceased had only just returned to camp, after having spent 5 months in hospital in Manchester. Corporal Lunn was with a number of others of the Regiment in the Non Comm hut when a discussion arose on musketry. A rifle was used to demonstrate an argument and on the trigger being pulled, to the dismay of all present, the rifle was found to have contained a live cartridge. Deceased was shot and succumbed to his injuries before arriving at hospital. At the inquest a verdict of accidental death was returned. The funeral was attended by Lieut C. F. E. Dean (representing the T.F. Reserve Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment). Sergeant-Major Garfoot, Sergeant Dolman (who had the funeral arrangements in hand, including the firing party), and Sergeant Drummer Leaning, conducting the bugle band. The cortege was met at Bourne station by the members of the family, including Mr John Lunn (Father), Miss Sergeant (Fiancee), Mr Tom Lunn (Brother), Miss Maude Lunn, Miss Hilda Lunn, Miss Muriel Lunn (Sisters), Mr and Mrs D. Drakard (Uncle and Aunt), Miss Allen (Aunt), Mrs T. Lunn (Sister in Law), Mrs J. Lunn (Step Mother). The service was conducted by the Rev J. Comyn Jones and the Rev J. Carvath. The firing party fired the three volleys. The bearers were six Lance-Corporals, five of whom were personal friends of the deceased. The last post was sounded by the bugle band. There were a number of floral tributes including those from his father; his sisters, Maud, Hilda and Muriel; Tom and Gertie; Mrs S. Pick; Mr and Mrs Fell and family; The officers of the Reserve Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment; The Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess of the Lincolns. Deceased was well known at Bourne, having lived for many years in the town and was employed up to the time of his enlistment in Messrs R. N. Mills and Co’s Mineral water factory and was a packer, the employees of whom were represented at the funeral by Messrs H. Robinson, T. Teat, H. and A. Gilbert. Amongst others present were Messrs George Brown and W. H. Carter (Representing the Bourne Brotherhood of which body deceased was a member and regular attendant). The Liberal Club (of which deceased was a member since its inception) was represented by Messrs W. Kelby, T. Mee and W. Nichols.' (www.southlincolnshire warmemorials.org.uk) Extract: ‘In April 1917 George was invalided home with septic poisoning and he then spent 5 months in hospital in Manchester. The London Gazette of 14th September 1917 carried the following report: ‘His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the Field to the undermentioned ladies, non-commissioned officers and men … 241750 L/C GR Lunn, Lincs R). After being released from hospital George visited Bourne briefly before being called to Lincoln and then posted to the 4th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment at their east coast camp as a musketry instructor.’(www.southlincolnshire warmemorials.org.uk) Reports also appeared in the Hull Daily Mail (14 December 1917) and Lincolnshire Echo (14 December 1917).
