William Bourke, son of James Bourke & Ellen McCluskey

WILLIAM BOURKE: Born November 11, 1882, at Boosey. Third son and 4th child of James Bourke & Ellen McCluskey.
He attended Boosey North Catholic School and like his brothers was a fine sportsman as a young man.
According to one of William’s daughters, Nell Bourke, when the Bourke brothers all finished schooling they earned a living share farming on Barooga Station, north-east of Cobram. Whenever possible, they would return home to Boosey on weekends, riding their horses across the Murray when the river was low, and crossing on the Cobram punt if the waters were too high.
In 1909, at the age of 26, William Bourke married 22 year old Margaret Lonergan, one of the twin daughters of John Lonergan from Conmel, County Tipperary. Margaret and her twin Bridget had been born on April 6, 1887, at Boosey. Margaret and William were married on April 21, 1909, at Malvern, Victoria, and had five children between 1910 and 1917.
Ellen May “Nell” Bourke: born September 30, 1910. Never married. Wonderful lady who lived in Cobram.
William Gregory “Greg” Bourke: born August 19, 1912. Married Carmel O’Connor. Children Peter (Marist Brother); Helen; Kathryn (married Maurice McCarroll, children Benjamin, Bernice & Tyrone) and John. William “Greg” Bourke died on December 26, 1976, and he is buried in Cobram.
Kathleen Mary Bourke: born July 9, 1914. Married Bertram Myers. Children Janice (married Robert Colverson, children Kathleen, Francis and Craig) and David (married Godilieve Postermeyer. Children Zac, Jake & Tom).
Michael Kevin Bourke: Born April 3, 1917. Married Mena Hansen. No children.

William Bourke lived a long life. His wife Margaret had died on June 19, 1954, aged 67, and William lived on until September 12, 1971, when he died at the age of 88 years. Both he and Margaret are buried in the Cobram Cemetery.