Wireman 2nd Class George Ernest Duncombe
| Date of Birth | 5 June 1896 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 19 |
| Date of Death | 8 March 1916 |
| Service Number | M/18682 |
| Military Service | Royal Navy HMS Victory |
| Merton Address | 33 Denmark Avenue, Wimbledon |
| Local Memorial | Wimbledon Cemetery |
Additional Information
George Ernest Duncombe was the only child for George Duncombe and Henrietta (nee Stegall), who had Married in Hartismere in Suffolk in 1890.
His father worked as a Butler and in 1891 was working at 11 East Cliff, in Dover Kent, whilst his mother Henrietta, was living at an address in Hanover Square in London.
George was born on 5th June 1896 and baptised at St Mary in Wimbledon on 2nd August 1896. The baptism record shows the family address as 33 Denmark Road, Wimbledon and his father was still employed as a Butler.
By 1901 George aged 4 is living with his mother at 33 Denmark Road. His mother Henrietta is listed as the ‘Head of Household’ and Lodging Housekeeper.
George's father was listed working to a Sir John Tankerville Goldney Chief justice and his wife lady Jane Goldney at Monks Park in Corsham in Wiltshire, a large property with 22 rooms. (Sir John Tankerville Goldney (15 June 1846 – 11 April 1920) was a British barrister who rose to be Chief Justice of Trinidad and Tobago, and was also High Sheriff of Wiltshire in 1910. He is also notable for introducing golf to Singapore in 1891.)
In the census of 1911, George is still living with his mother Henrietta at 33 Denmark Road, a house with six rooms. George was working as an Errand Boy and they had one boarder.
George (Senior) however, still appears to be living apart from his wife and son and is listed as a Butler for a Mr and Mrs Charles Elliott, a retired Civil Servant. The Elliott’s lived in a large 23 room house called Fernwood, in Wimbledon Park.
George (Jnr) was 18 when war broke out in 1914.
He enlisted with the Royal Navy on 31st January 1916 and was described as being 5 foot 7 inches tall with brown hair, blue eyes, and fresh complexion. His occupation was listed as a Wireman.
George first serviced on HMS Vernon, which was a training ship. Records show he was on board for two days from 31st January 1916 to 1st February 1916 employed as a Wireman. He was then transferred as a Wireman 2nd Class, to HMS Victory II from 2nd February 1916, which was based at Portsmouth.
George sadly died the following month on the 8th March 1916 in the Royal Navy hospital in Haslar Portsmouth, from Cerebral Spinal Meningitis. He had only been in service for a couple of months.
George’s father who was now residing with his wife Henrietta at 26 Courthope Villas, Worple Road Wimbledon was notified of his son’s death.
George was buried at Wimbledon, Gap Road Cemetery.