Pte 26647 Harry Clifford Burgess

• Age: 24
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 17th January 1916
• Commemorated at: Carnoy Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: O.11

Harry Clifford Burgess (known as Harry) was born on 24th October 1891 in Toxteth Park, Liverpool and was the eldest child of of John Thomas Burgess and his wife Alice Ruth (nee Street) who were married on 14th August 1887 at St Pauls, Liverpool. 

In 1901, the family are living with their two sons, (Harry Clifford and Wilfred who was born November 1893 at Toxteth Park, Liverpool), at 83 Buchanan Road, Seacombe. John Thomas is employed as a horticultural salesman. 

A third son Kenneth was born in May 1901 in Seacombe, Cheshire. A daughter, Marion Ruth Evelyn was born in March 1905 in Wallasey.  

By the time of the 1911 Census the family are living at 72 Deveraux Drive, Wallasey. Harry's mother has died and John Thomas, a widower and now a commercial traveller in boots and leather living with his three sons and a daughter, Marion Ruth who was in born in 1905 his brother Wilfred is a provisions warehouseman. 

Prior to the outbreak of the war Harry had been employed as a clerk with Joshua Appleby and Sons Ltd for approximately six years.   

Harry enlisted at Knowsley, joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 26647. 

From the 23^rd September 1914 the 18th Battalion was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. Harry arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

He was killed in action on 17^th January 1916, aged 24, when his Battalion, as part of 30^th Division under Major General Fry, was in the South of the Somme Line near Carnoy.

Harry now rests at Carnoy Military Cemetery, France where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"THY WILL BE DONE"

The cemetery was begun in August 1915, by the 2nd King's Own Scottish Borderers and the 2nd King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, when the village was immediately South of the British front line. It continued in use by troops holding this sector until July 1916, when Field Ambulances came up and a camp was established on the higher ground North of the village. It was closed in March 1917. From March to August 1918, it was in German hands, and German (and a few British) graves were made between the British graves and the entrance, and also in a German Cemetery alongside; but the German graves and the German Cemetery were removed in 1924.

There are now over 850, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, nearly 30 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 17 soldiers and one airman from the United Kingdom, known or believed to be buried among them.

The cemetery covers an area of 4,441 square metres and is enclosed by a red brick wall.

Harry's loss was reported in the local press. The Liverpool Evening Express of 29th January 1916 advised:

Information to hand reports the death of Pte.H.C.Burgess,who was killed in action,and laid to rest on Jan.18th. He was attached to the 18th Batn,King's (Liverpool Regiment), and aged 24 years, and was the oldest son of Thos.Burgess,72 Deveraux-drive,Seacombe. Prior to joining the forces he was in the employ of Messrs.J.Appleby and Sons,Ltd. Liverpool,for about six years,where he was highly respected. He was connected with St.Paul's Church, Seacombe, for a number of years, during which time he made a large circle of friends. 

An additional newspaper report  used the incorrect name of Henry rather than Harry with the headline:

On Sentry Duty. Somerville Pal's Death

We regret to announce the death of Private Henry (sic) Clifford Burgess, while serving with the 18th Service Battalion of the King's Liverpool Regiment. The news was conveyed to his home at 72 Deveraux Drive, Somerville in a letter from his Commanding Officer, who paid a tribute to the high quality of the deceased.He said he had offered a stripe some time ago to Private Burgess who however preferred to remain a private.

A letter from a Poulton comrade makes reference to the death of Private Burgess who he said, was killed by a shell whilst on sentry duty. Everybody, he writes liked him, not only those in the Battalion but everybody who knew him. He died the death of a hero and proved himself an Englishman.

Private Burgess, who before the war, was a clerk in Appleby's, the flour millers, enlisted soon after the opening of hostilities. He was well known in Poulton. For some time he was a member of St Luke's Bible Class. Later he became a member of St Paul's Church Choir, and sang also with the Musical Society. He was associated with the Seacombe and Egremont Swimming Club. His closest friend Private Sidney Adams was killed at the front about a year ago.     

Soldiers Effects and Pension to father John Thomas Burgess

He earned his three medals and is commemorated on the following Memorials:

St Pauls Church, Seacombe

Wallasey Civic Memorial and Roll of Honour

St Lukes Church, Poulton. 

Grateful thanks are extended to Harry's niece, Rosemary Warburton for her input into the biographical details for Harry.

We currently have no further information on Harry Clifford Burgess, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.