|
Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France & Flanders | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Walmer (St. Mary) Old Churchyard |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 26 Aug 1915 in France | ~ | Balsall Common, St. Peters as Burnley |
| Temple Balsall Cemetery Gates | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | |
| Battle of Loos (Prelude to) | September 1914 in Grassington N. Yorks | Other War Memorials |
| Victoria Hospital, Deal, Walmer & District War Memorial | ||
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Burnsall, N Yorks |
| 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge | ~ | Hebden, N Yorks |
| Linton in Craven, N Yorks |
Circumstances of Death
|
William died of wounds at the 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge on 30 Sep 1915 and was buried in Walmer, Kent which was the home of his sister. The 10th Battalion war diary names William as one of three men who were wounded on 22 Sep 1915 and entry for that day is transcribed below. Erquinghem - 22.9.1915: Bombardment continues only heavier. This time enemy retaliation most of their shells however fell behind our trenches, nevertheless they damaged our parapet in places and blew in a communication trench. Three men were wounded two seriously 13655 Pte William Burley A Coy. 13789 Pte Ernest Franklin seriously 13721 Pte Arthur Stubbs A Coy. One shell burst about 5 yds from our bomb store and the man on guard received 30 wounds. During the night our guns were bursting shrapnel in the enemy wire but did not cut it very much. Observation from our trenches is difficult owing to the long grass. At night working parties repaired our damages and endeavored to surround the remaining water tank with sand-bags but were shelled out. During the day preliminary orders for an attack on Wednesday were received. Copy marked X attached. Owing to the Bombardment Para 2 was not able to be carried out. END |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 5 Nov 1895 at 40 Pickering Street, Islington. (Birth Cert) | |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| George and Elizabeth (died 1898) Burley | Islington |
| Schools | Schools |
| Islington Workhouse School | Temple Balsall School |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1895 - 40 Pickering Street, Islington | 1901 - Scholar in Workhouse School |
| 1901 - Workhouse School, Hornsey Road, Islington | 1911 - Employed by Rector of Burnsall (7 years) |
| 1911 - Burnsall Rectory, Burnsall, N Yorks | 1914 - Worker at Threshfield Quarry, N Yorks |
| 1914 - Burnsall/Grassington | |
- William was admitted to, and discharged from, the Islington Workhouse at various times in 1899 with the last recorded time in Aug 1899.
- Next of kin was a sister who lived at Cambridge Cottage, York Road, Lower Walmer, Deal, Kent.
- Williams link to Temple Balsall is his attendence at Temple Balsall School before going to work for the Rector of Burnsall
- Our thanks to the Solihull Life and Craven's Part in the Great War websites, both of which contain other information that may be of use.
- Picture of William courtesy of Craven's Part in the Great War & Find a Grave
- We believe that the William Burnley named on the Balsall Common, St. Peter's Church memorial is in fact this William Burley.


