Frank BOURNE - Luton Grand Theatre

[pipkim]

Hello All,

I'm trying to find a link with a Frank Bourne and my G Grandfather Thomas Charles Cheshire.
Frank was in the Royal Navy WW2 ?, having established his uniform from a photograph on RC.

One of my relatives thinks he may have been a Manager at the Luton Grand Theatre, probably in the 1950's ?, but as I have no information on him, as births etc, it's proving difficult. I have searched google for Luton Grand Theatre, but it looks to have disappeared.

I would be grateful for any ideas you may have. please!!

Pipkim 

[seahall]

Hi Pipkim

This link may not help you much but it does mention the Theatre if you scoll down the page.

http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/mk4custompages/CustomPage.aspx?PageID=26376&sectionID=5645

Cheers Sandy

[pipkim]

Many thanks Sandy, the site had photos of Lutons Grand Theatre. I've seen the outside before on a different site but this site had an internal shot. Not surprising they called it Grand, shame it was knocked down to make way for what I believe is a shopping centre.

I think I might try the local museum to see if they have and ideas.

Pipkim 

[cathymcc]

Pipkim

Luton Museum
Wardown Park
LUTON

That should reach them - try to send an SAE!

Try: http://blars.adlibsoft.com/beginner/indnms.html 
There is a bit here on the theatre

The National Archives are begining to put WW2 Navy Records on their site too:

But Frank BOURNE isnt there yet:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/search.asp?txtSearchTerm=Bourne&txtFirstDate=1920&txtLastDate=1950&txtRestriction=WO&hdnSortType=Reference
cathy

[pipkim]

Many thanks Cathy,

I'll get on to them asap. I'm very grateful for your help. Its one of those mysteries that would be nice to solve. 

Pipkim 

[pipkim]

Hi Cathy,
I contacted Luton museum by e-mail and a very kind lady found some information regarding the Luton Grand Theatre, which was that a Mr J. Bourne was the manager in May 1947 to March 1949.
He may not be Frank Bourne but could be a relative of his.

It now seems that the Man in the naval photo could be one of my Grandfathers illegitimate sons called Tommy, again time and more searching may solve this riddle.

Why is it that things get more complicated as you ask more questions. 

Thanks for your and Sandy's ideas.

Pipkim

[gerogharrysmith]

Hi, I have recently listed a programme for the Luton Grand Theatre on Ebay. Please follow the link if ou would be interested http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230810877225#ht_500wt_1156

[Ryanfoto]

My mother used to clean for a Frank Morley who I believe was the bar and booking manager for the Theatre.In 1982 a client asks me to copy 50 photos he had bought at a Jumble sale, and these were of acts who had appeared there in the 40' s and 50's and were all signed to "Frank".I assumed Frank had passed on. I never kept any copies apart from one and its a black and white negative somewhere in the archive. Frank lived with a chap called Pete and we spent happy times there.