Margaret (Meg) and George (Gurney) at her wedding to Charles Hatch - 1938

Gurney, GEORGE 1 2

Birth Name Gurney, GEORGE
Nick Name (Grandad)
Gender male
Age at Death 82 years, 10 months, 14 days

Narrative

"Somewhere in history the Gurneys were related to Elizabeth Fry (nee Gurney)." Vera Stuart in GFV2

Narrative

The Norwoods in Euston Ave, Watford were cousins of Dad's as was Lizzie French who was in Chester Road after moving from Tring." Vera Stuart in GFV2

in GFV1 it says "Euston Ave (bicycle shop)".... "moving from Tring."

Events

Event Date Place Description Sources
Birth 1885-05-03 Tring, Berkhamstead Registration District, Hertfordshire, England   3a
Event Note

Probable confirmation BMD Index, listed as Berkhamsted not Tring.

Birth 1885-05-03   ~ from baptism record  
Christening 1888-01-30 Watford, Hertfordshire, England first time? 4a 5a
Baptism 1890-11-05 Watford, Hertfordshire, England ~ probable 4b
Christening 1890-11-05 Watford, Hertfordshire, England   6a
Event Note

Christened at 5, parents James and Anna.

Residence 1891 Watford, Hertfordshire, England 2 Ballard Building 7a
Event Note

1891 Census  of England:
Gurney:  James 42, Emma 38, Hannah 11,  James 8, George 5, Joseph 6 months.  
Occupation: James (Snr): General Labourer.
Born: All - Tring, Herts, except Joseph, born in Watford, Herts.
It is a stand-alone dwelling - 2 Ballard Building, St Mary's, Watford.

They have six lodgers: Rafe Smith 25, General Labourer, and William and Ann Young and  their three children.

Findmypast transcription adds "Wells Yard" - have queried.

Files: 1891EnglandCensusFor JamesGurney.jpg and 1891EnglandCensusForGeorgeGurney.jpg.

Note: An overseas researcher, Julie Simmons, with Gurney family links say that Ballards Building was “One of the worst slums in the town, over crowded.” and resultingly unhealthy. When we see that James and Emma have six lodgers it lends weight to the suggestion. [“julesi” in the Simmons Family Tree – http://www.ancestry.co.uk and http://www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/answers/answers-2006/ans6-021-simmonds.htm . See also article: http://www.hertsmemories.org.uk/page_id__544.aspx from which the map is sourced.] - SJL

Residence 1901 Watford, Hertfordshire, England 1 Fearnley St 8a
Event Note

1901 Census  of England:
Gurney:  Hannah aged 21, single, head of household, James 17, George 15, Joseph 10; and Mary Ann Searfield*, 21, Boarder, living at 1 Fearnley St, Watford, a stand-alone dwelling.
Born: Hannah, James, George - Tring, Herts; Joseph - Watford, Herts; Mary Ann - Luton, Beds.
Occupation: Hannah and May Ann - Laundry Maids; James - Carman [carter]

* transcribed as Sinfield by findmypast.

Residence 1911 Watford, Hertfordshire, England 8 Liverpool Road 8b
Event Note

1911 Census  of England:
Gurney: George 25. Boarding with the Henry Woollaston family at 8 Liverpool Road, Watford.

Occupation 1911 Watford, Hertfordshire, England "Carman" - carting contractor 8c
Marriage 1911-12-26 Watford, Hertfordshire, England Rose Horwood 9a 1 2
Military Service 1914-1918     10a
Source text

page 157:

"Gurney, G., Private, R.A.V.C.
Volunteering in 1914, he was drafted in the same year to Egypt and Palestine, where he did valuable work in many important engagements. He afterwards proceeded to Salonika and was engaged on important duties with his unit until the close of the war. He was demobilised in April 1919 after returning home, and holds the 1914-15 Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals.
18, Banbury Street, Watford. X3354"

Transcribed by SJL; George Gurney WW1 Service gb1359-00164.jpg

NB Other Gurneys on page and on Other Gurneys WWI Service gb1359-00163.jpg

Military Service 1915-12-11   Army Veterinary Corps 11a 12a
Event Note

"Re My Dad and WW1 as far as I know he was in the Army Veterinary Corp for there was teasing about having won a VC!!!! Certainly was in N Africa but where else I have no idea. Sounds like looking after health of the animals and even just getting them fed and watered was quite a problem. and treating injuries another field plus disposing of them." ref 130814EJL

Event Note

Gurney, George AVC [Army Veterinary Corps] Pvte SE 12875

Medal             Role                               Page
Victory            RAVC/101B20            1049
British             do                                  do          [=ditto]
Star                RAVC/6B                     470         [NB the number '15' is written before 'Star']

Theatre of War first served in: II
Date of entry therein: 11-12-15

[Transcribed from Medals Card - SJL]

Residence 1915 Watford, Hertfordshire, England 18 Banbury Street 10b
Residence 1937-06-04 Watford, Hertfordshire, England 79 Hagden Lane 13a
Occupation 1937-06-04 Watford, Hertfordshire, England Railway Accountancy Clerk 13a
Residence 1939-09-29 Watford, Hertfordshire, England 17b Kelmscott Close  
Occupation 1939-09-29   Road Contractors [sic] Foreman (Heavy Works)  
Event Note

Far right column has a reference #: PWC 752/40810

Death 1968-03-17 Watford, Hertfordshire, England   14a 15

Parents

Relation to main person Name Birth date Death date Relation within this family (if not by birth)
Father Gurney, JAMES18471892
Mother Simmons, EMMA18531900
    Sister     Gurney, Hannah/Annie 1880
    Brother     Gurney, James 1882-05-10
         Gurney, GEORGE 1885-05-03 1968-03-17
    Brother     Gurney, Joseph 1890-03-16
    Sister     Gurney, ?Ethel
    Sister     Gurney, ?Rose

Families

Family of Gurney, GEORGE and Horwood, ROSE
Married Wife Horwood, ROSE ( * 1889-08-30 + 1970-08-00 )
  Children
Name Birth Date Death Date
[Living], [Living]
Gurney, Vera Rosalie1912-10-072000-01-01
Gurney, Margaret Eleanor1914-08-031990
Gurney, Edward George19201921
Gurney, Gwendoline Joyce1922-06-042011-05-14
Gurney, Kenneth Ronald1925-09-222004-07-19
Gurney, Roy Edwin19272016

Source References

  1. Vera (Gurney) Stuart via E J Leader: Gurney Family - Vera Stuart via EJL
  2. Vera (Gurney) Stuart copied by S J Leader: Gurney Family by Vera Stuart
  3. England Wales Free BMD Birth/Marriage/Death Index 1837-1915
      • Page: Births Registered in April, May, and June 1885, pg 219; EnglandWalesFreeBMDBirthIndex1837-1915ForGeorgeGurney.jpg
  4. Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies
      • Page: pg 214; 1888 baptism George Gurney GBPRS_HERT_004948059_00382.jpg
      • Page: 1890 baptism James Gurney transcription.pdf and 1890 baptism James George and Joseph Gurney GBPRS_HERT_004948059_00424.jpg
      • Citation:

        "Mass baptism" for James, George, and Joseph - all on 5 Nov 1890 at St Mary's. [I know cost could be an issue so this was not uncommon - SJL]. The minister, J C  Berkley noted birth-dates for the older two
        (May 10 1882 and May 5 1885) to James and Anna Gurney of 8? Courts?, Watford.

        [Note: I've already got George baptised to James and Emma Gurney at 25 Ballards Building (correct from Census) on  30 Jan 1888, same Minister. It seems unlikely that that run of names and dates is another family, but leaving as "probable". - SJL]

  5. LDS - via Jessie: Vital Records Index - British Isles
      • Page: FHL Film 1537915
  6. England & Wales Christening Records 1530-1906
      • Page: 1888 baptism George Gurney GBPRS_HERT_004948059_00382.jpg
      • Citation:

        Birthdate 3 May 1885

  7. 1891 Census of England
      • Page: Herts/Watford/St Marys/pg14; 1891EnglandCensusForGeorgeGurney.jpg
  8. 1911 Census of England - see Event Note for details
      • Page: Watford/Watford St Mary/pg 1; 1901EnglandCensusForHannah James George Joseph Gurney.jpg
      • Page: Watford/140/Watford/19/149/7717; 1911EnglandCensusForGeorgeGurney.jpg
      • Page: Watford/140/Watford/19/149/7717; 1911EnglandCensusForGeorgeGurney.jpg
  9. Family Search: England and Wales, Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005
      • Page: 1911/Oct-Nov-Dec/p 383/3 a 1538a; 1911 George Gurney m Rose Horwood BMD_M_1911_4_AZ_000397.jpg and 1911 Rose Horwood m George Gurney index BMD_M_1911_4_AZ_000479.jpg
  10. UK Government: National Roll of the Great War
      • Page: pg 157
      • Confidence: High
      • George Gurney: 1914-15 Star, General Service Medal, Victory Medal (colloquially known as “Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred”)
      • Source text:

        page 157:

        "Gurney, G., Private, R.A.V.C.
        Volunteering in 1914, he was drafted in the same year to Egypt and Palestine, where he did valuable work in many important engagements. He afterwards proceeded to Salonika and was engaged on important duties with his unit until the close of the war. He was demobilised in April 1919 after returning home, and holds the 1914-15 Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals.
        18, Banbury Street, Watford. X3354"

        Transcribed by SJL; George Gurney WW1 Service gb1359-00164.jpg

        NB Other Gurneys on page and on Other Gurneys WWI Service gb1359-00163.jpg

  11. Email, Letters, & Other Communications
      • Page: 130814 email from Edna Leader re Military Service.txt
  12. British Army WWI Medal Roles 1914-1920
      • Page: Reg # SE 12875; BritishArmyWWIMedalRollsIndexCards1914-1920ForGurneyGeorge.jpg
  13. Published Family Trees
      • Page: WakemanPJ - owner Stuart FT; George Gurney - Overview - Ancestry.com.au.htm
  14. England Wales Death Index 1916-2007
      • Page: Jan Feb March 1968, GUN-GUT, 4B 523; EnglandWalesDeathIndex1916-2007ForGeorgeGurney.jpg
  15. E J Leader: E J Leader - Addressbook