Category Archives: Royal Berkshire Regiment

Walter Albert Burton

Army, Commemorated name/s, Royal Berkshire Regiment, Somme, St. Laurence's Church

Walter Albert Burton
Private 28427
2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment 

 Division 75
Extension

Burton WA Rcem com

From the CWGC site it is known that Walter Albert Burton is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing Pier and Face 11D. He was a member of the Royal Berkshire Regiment. There were no family details given.

In March 1917 the Germans began their strategic retreat to the Hindenberg Line. The long, long trail gives the dates for this as the 14 March – 5 April. The allies detected a withdrawal from the Somme in mid-February and  a cautious pursuit was begun. It is possible that Walter Burton lost his life during such an action.

J. A. Birnie

Registered War Grave, Royal Berkshire Regiment

J. A. Birnie
Private TR8/30206
52nd Training Reserve

CIMG2132

 

Division 56
 J. A. Birnie Lies in a registered war grave with a CWGC war pattern headstone.  Grave number 5215.  He died on 25th November 1918, aged 18.

 There are no other details about Private Birnie.  However, just before Remembrance Day 1998 a Mrs Bernadette Smith contacted the author to enquire about whether a Private Birnie was buried in the cemetery.  It turned out that although Private Birnie was no relation to Mrs Smith she had in fact been named for him.  Mrs Smith was able to put a poppy on his grave.

 

Ernest A Brown and William Frederick Brown

Army, Commemorated name/s, Other Regiments, Passchendaele, Royal Berkshire Regiment, Somme, Ypres

Ernest A. Brown
Corporal 203874
2nd Battalion Oxford & Bucks. Light Infantry

William Frederick Brown
Private 201425
5th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regt.

 Division 15

 Brown EA and WF photo

 Ernest and William Brown are pictured with their brother in Berkshire and The War.  Gunner L. H. Brown, served with the Machine Gun Corps.,  he probably survived the war.  Ernest and Frederick are commemorated on the headstone of the grave of their grandfather.  They were the sons of William J. and Ellen Brown, 651, Oxford Rd. Reading. 

CIMG2187

 

 The Standard September 15th 1917 printed the notification of the death of Ernest Brown. He was killed  during the 3rd Battle of Ypres.

“In everlasting memory of my dear husband, Corporal. E. A. Brown, Oxford and Bucks. Light Infantry killed in action August 16th 1917.”   

 Oh, how I longed to see him
After victory won,
But God thought it best to take him
Before the fight was won.
Sleep on dear Ern, in your lonely grave,
A grave I may never see,
But as long as life and memory last
I will remember thee.” 

Ernest Brown is buried in New Irish Farm Cemetery, Location XI.F.13.

 Frederick’s wife Francis Violet Brown posted the notification of his death.  Her address was given as 31 Manchester Rd., Reading.   Frederick was killed in action, on the 5th April 1918.  His death occurred  during the Battle of Albert, he was aged 28.  At the time the British were being driven back by the Germans who had launched their major offensive in the spring. 

No loving friends stood round his bed,
No loving mother closed his eyes,
No roof above his brave young head,
Only France’s cloudy skies;
No bell to toll the mournful tale,
With sad but kindly tone,
But we know he’s gone to a better vale,
His Heavenly Father’s throne.

 William Brown has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial Panel 56 & 57.