Capt Arthur de Bells Adam (MC)
1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
Pte 48375 William James Burbridge
- Age: 19
- From: Liverpool
- Regiment: 5TH KINGS
- Died on Thursday 20th September 1917
- Commemorated at: Dochy Farm New British Cemetery
Panel Ref: VI.E.14
William James Burbridge was born on 17th February 1898 at 52 Vienna Street, Everton to Liverpool born labourer Jacob Burbidge (without the R) and his wife Elizabeth Ellen (née Tyrer) who were married on 16th December 1885 at St Nicholas Church, Liverpool. William snr was a 26 year old labourer of Great Crosshall Street, father, Jacob a labourer, whilst Elizabeth was aged 20 also of Great Crosshall Street, father, John a deceased boilermaker. They had nine children (five boys and four girls), William was their seventh child and he was named after his elder brother William who sadly died, aged 3 in 1893. In all three children died pre 1911.
William James was baptised on 02nd March 1898 at St.Cuthbert's Church, Everton.
The April 1901 Census shows William (Burbidge) aged 3 living with his family at 52 Vienna Street, Everton. His father Jacob is recorded as 40 years of age and a gardener for the corporation, his mother is 34 years of age and was born in Liverpool. William has three siblings, all born in Liverpool, recorded in the household; Jacob aged 15, Emily 13 and Barbara aged 8. Also recorded is Mary Salisbury, a widow aged 73, recorded as grandmother.
In the December quarter of 1909, his father, Jacob, died aged 49. William was then aged 11.
The April 1911 Census shows the family are now living at 12 Drayton Street, Everton William (again as Burbidge) aged 13 and a scholar living with his widowed mother and five siblings who are listed as; Jacob a 25 year old house painter, Emily Eliza a 23 year old general domestic servant, Barbara Ann, aged 17 and also a general domestic servant, Lilian aged 10 born in 1901 and Harold aged 4. Also present are: Issac Burbidge described as brother-in- law, Elizabeth Burbidge described as daughter-in-law and married and a grandchild Elizabeth Ellen a new born. There is also a boarder at the property 16 year old Eliza Rudd.
He enlisted in Liverpool joining the 20th (Pals) Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private William James Burbridge 48375. At some point he is transferred to the 1/5th King's Liverpool Regiment.
He was killed in action on 20th September 1917, aged 19.
William was reported Missing in the Liverpool Post on 24th October 1917.
His death was reported in the Liverpool Express on 29th October 1917 under the header:
LIVERPOOL'S FALLEN HEROES
Private W.J. Burbridge, K.L.R. who was killed in action on Sept 20th, was 19 years of age. He lived with his parents at 12 Drayton-street, Everton and previously was employed at the docks.
He now rests at Dochy Farm New British Cemetery, Llangemarck, Belgium VI.E.14 where his headstone bears the epitaph:
"A SILENT THOUGHT A SECRET TEAR KEEPS HIS MEMORY EVER DEAR".
He was killed in action on 20th September 1917, aged 19.
The Battalion diary records the events of the day as follows:
On 20/09/1917 on the Menin Road East of Ypres Zero hour was 5.40 a.m.
On 20/09/1917 on the Menin Road East of Ypres Zero hour was 5.40 a.m.
Our barrage opened on the Enemies Front Line, and the leading waves of the assaulting troops moved forward to the attack.
Almost immediately the Enemy opened up with a 4.2 inch and 5.9 inch barrage which fell on our front line.
The Battalion advanced as close under the barrage as possible almost immediately violent machine gunfire broke out and the King's men suffered casualties. Progress was terribly difficult.
No Man's Land was literally a mass of shell holes mostly full of water which in places overlapped one another, the ground was deep in viscous mud which clung to the boots of the attackers and made the going very hard. The 1/5th passed through the 7th King's and taking Green Line consolidating this position which ran from Hill 37 on the left to Zevencote on the right.
It was not until 5 p.m. that Brigade HQ received reports that Hill 37 was captured.
His death was reported in the Liverpool Express on 29th October 1917 under the header:
LIVERPOOL'S FALLEN HEROES
Private W.J. Burbridge, K.L.R. who was killed in action on Sept 20th, was 19 years of age. He lived with his parents at 12 Drayton-street, Everton and previously was employed at the docks.
He now rests at Dochy Farm New British Cemetery, Llangemarck, Belgium VI.E.14 where his headstone bears the epitaph:
"A SILENT THOUGHT A SECRET TEAR KEEPS HIS MEMORY EVER DEAR".
Dochy Farm, which had become a German strong point, was taken by the 2nd/5th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment on 26 September 1917, in the Battle of Polygon Wood. The cemetery was made after the Armistice when isolated graves were brought in from the battlefields of Boesinghe, St. Julien, Frezenberg and Passchendaele.
The cemetery now contains 1,439 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 958 of the burials are unidentified but special memorials commemorate two casualties believed to be buried among them.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.
His Mother Received his Army Pay arrears of £1:12s:10d on 01 January 1918 and a War Gratuity of £4 on 07 November 1919. She was also awarded his dependents pension of 12/6 pw.
On the 1921 Census at 12 Drayton Street, mother Elizabeth Burbridge is aged 55 and is living with 13 members of her family. She died, aged 74, in 1939.
William James is commemorated as Burbridge is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 12 Right.
The correct surname of Burbidge was verified by the family notice of his mother's death in the Liverpool Daily Post on 01st August 1942.
Grateful thanks are extended to Joe Devereux for permission to use the photograph of William now shown on the site.
We currently have no further information on William James Burbridge, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
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