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 24585 Robert Burrows
- Age: 23
- From: Liverpool
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
- K.I.A Sunday 30th July 1916
- Commemorated at: Citadel New Mil Cem, Fricourt
Panel Ref: II.D.19
Robert Burrows was born in Liverpool on the 13th March 1893 at 10 Rose Street to Garston born blacksmith Samuel Burrows and his second wife Catherine (nee Thomas), who were married on the 1st Nov 1891 at St Peter’s, Liverpool. Widower Samuel was a 40 year old blacksmith, father Samuel, whilst Catherine was aged 26, father David, both of Berry St.
Samuel married his first wife Elizabeth (nee Croft) on the 20th Feb 1870 at St Nicholas, Liverpool. They had a daughter, Annie and a son William Samuel. Sadly Elizabeth died aged 42 in 1890.
Samuel was born in Garston, and Catherine in Woolton. His father's age varies on records; at their marriage in 1891 he gave his age as 40 (Elizabeth was 24), but on later censuses he is older. Robert was the first born, he was baptised on the 07th May 1893 at St Peter's Church, Woolton where in his teens he would play football for St Peter's F. C. His siblings were Jessie, Arthur Lennon, Louisa Jane, Sarah (who died at 20 months), Elizabeth Alice, and David Thomas (who died in infancy).
The 1901 Census finds the family living at 10 Rose Street.
Robert is shown as a scholar, aged 8. His father is aged 58 and is a blacksmith, half-brother William, 19, is a blacksmith apprentice. His mother Catherine is 32, Jesse is 6, Arthur 4, and Louisa 2.
By the time of the 1911 Census they family are still living at 10 Rose Street.
Robert is shown as an 18 year old domestic gardener for a merchant, which was Dousefield, Allerton. His father gives his age as 70 and is still working as a blacksmith, as is his son William, 28. His mother is 42, and works as a laundress. Jessie, 16, has no occupation, while Arthur 14, Louisa 12, and Elizabeth 7, are at school.
Just before Christmas 1911 his father Samuel died (the death and burial records give his age as 67).
Prior to the outbreak of the war Robert was also a popular member of Woolton Village Club and Woolton St Peters Football Club.
Robert served in France from 22 December 1915 with the 18th Battalion K.L.R.
Robert was serving in the 18th Battalion K.L.R. who were not involved in the action at Guillemont following their losses on 01st July 1916 at Montauban. However, according to an online commemorative site, stpeterswoolton-heritage.com "Harry Quick, a Woolton-bred comrade who also served in the KLR (The King’s Liverpool Regiment) wrote in a letter to Robert’s mother, Catherine, (who was living then at 48 Cobden Street, Woolton) that Bob was killed instantly by a bomb."
(Pt. 27512 Henry Quick of Woolton served in the 18th Bn. then the 13th Bn. K.L.R., and survived the war)
Robert's death was reported in the Liverpool Evening Express on 24th August 1916.
"Robert Burrows (24) (L'pool Pals), of 48 Gladstone street, Woolton. He was a member of the Woolton St.Peter's Football Cub and a popular member of Woolton Village Club. He was formerly employed by Mr.Alfred Holt of Dousfield, Allerton. A memorial service will be held at St.Peter's Church, Woolton, on Sunday next".
Robert's death was also reported in the Runcorn Weekly News on the 22nd September 1916.
KILLED IN ACTION.
BURROWS - July 30th, killed in action, aged 23 years, Private Robert Burrows, King’s (Liverpool Pals) Regiment, the dearly loved second son of Mrs Burrows and the late Mr Samuel Burrows, 48 Compton Street, Woolton. Sadly missed by Mother, Brothers, Sisters and Fiancée.
He now rests at Citadel New Military Cemetery, Fricourt.
Fricourt was captured by the 17th Division on 2 July 1916 but the southern part of the commune, in which this cemetery is situated, was already in Allied hands. On the road from Fricourt to Bray, before it reaches the top of the plateau, are two points 71 metres above sea level, known to the Army as 71 North and 71 South. A little further on was a feature known as the Citadel.
The cemetery is in the Northern part of a valley, running from Fricourt to the Somme, which was known in 1916 as "Happy Valley." It was begun by French troops and from August 1915, when the first Commonwealth burials were made, it was known as the Citadel Military Cemetery (Point 71). It was used until November 1916 and once in August 1918. The great majority of the burials were carried out from field ambulances before the Battles of the Somme. In the Autumn of 1916 the Citadel became a large camp for units withdrawn from the line.
The cemetery, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, contains 380 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 17 of them unidentified. Robert is the only Pal, indeed the only K.L.R. casualty buried in this cemetery.
Runcorn Weekly News 29th July 1921
BURROWS. - In loving memory of my dear son Bob, Pte. Burrows, 18th Liverpool Pals, who fell in action, 1916. Dearly loved and terribly missed by his Mother, Sisters, Brothers and a dear friend. R.I.P.
It is not clear from the pension card in the name of his mother whether a pension was awarded.
Robert is commemorated on the following memorials -
Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 14 Left
Woolton Village Club Memorial
St. Peter's Church Board, Woolton
In 1939 his widowed mother, Catherine, aged 72, was still at 48 Cobden Street with daughter Elizabeth, 35.
Catherine died in 1944 at the age of 77.
We currently have no further information on Robert Burrows, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
Killed On This Day.
(110 Years this day)Wednesday 19th April 1916.
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