Category Archives: Services

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.

Victor Edward Burgess

Army, Commemorated name/s, Other Regiments

Victor Edward Burgess
Rifleman 5824
2nd/17th London Regiment (London Rifles)

 Division 24

Burgess VE photo

Victor Edward Burgess was the youngest son of Mr Alfred Henry Burgess, of 15, Dorothy Street,  Reading.  He is commemorated on the family grave. Victor Burgess was killed on sentry duty on the 3rd  July 1916, aged 29.

 A report in the Reading Chronicle 14th July 1916 outlines the incident and gives details of his life before the war.  He had enlisted in October 1915 in the Royal Army Medical Corps.   Twice he had been rejected for service before being transferred to the London Rifles.  At the time he was killed Victor Burgess was on sentry duty and was struck by a grenade, dying instantly.  An officer writing to his father stated,” He died on duty and no man can do more for his King and country.  As one of his officers I feel his loss keenly.  He was one of the most conscientious men we had, and was very much liked by his comrades.  He was the first of his company to lay down his life for his country”.  Victor Burgess had been at the front only a couple of weeks.

 Victor Burgess had been born in London and came to Reading as a lad.  He had been educated at the Central and British Schools and then took up gardening for a livelihood. He had worked for the Rev. W.H. Mahony; Mr Martin H. F. Sutton; the Marquess of Ormonde (Kilkenny Castle); Mr Larnach (Lanwadie Hall, Suffolk); Mrs Adair (Engfield Green, Surrey; Rev. H.S. Musgrave, East Chitlington, Lewes.  Whilst at Lewes he had joined the Local Volunteer Force.  Victor Burgess was an active  member of the Y.M.C.A. and the C.E.M.S.

 Victor Burgess is buried at Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-Saint-Eloi.  Location III.A.28.  Here successive Divisions used the French Military tramway to bring their dead in from the front trenches.

*February 22nd 2000

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.