Gunner John Fishbourne

Gunner (Army).

Husband of M. E. Fishbourne, of 23, Andover Rd., Twickenham, Middx., England.

John was born in Dublin, Ireland the son of Robert Henry Fishbourne and Elizabeth Wilmot. He had a sister Elizabeth. His mother died when he was three years old and his father married Margaret Meredith and had two children Peter Henry and William. In December 1871 John's father died of smallpox. The children were taken in by the Protestant Orphan Society. John was apprenticed to a coach builder, probably a family connection as the Fishbourne family business was coach building and services. In March 1879 John enlisted ion the Royal Artillery. His army service records reveal he served in India for a large proportion of his time in the artillery that amounted to 14 years 132 days. He was discharged in July 1893 and he married Mary Elizabeth Buckby in her home town of Mowsley in November 1894. There were no children and John left for Canada in 1905 to join his half brother William. He enlisted stating his birth date as 1873 but he was 52 years not 42. His religion was Church of Ireland.